Rhodes University student, Tristian Wentworth, has been chosen as one of the six finalists for the 2015 Parmigiani Spirit Award. This prestigious international award is open to current university students worldwide who study full time and row regularly for a university rowing club.
Wentworth started his rowing journey at Rhodes University in 2011 and during this time he has not only contributed to the rowing club but also been involved in University Sport South Africa (USSA) rowing administration and assisted coaching the University staff team.
He has completed a degree in information systems and is currently studying education because he hopes to give back to the rowing club and the community as a whole.
The young rower has been heavily involved in coaching novices as well as administrative positions in the Rhodes University Rowing Club. Wentworth has helped the club grow in numbers and recently represented South Africa at the 2015 Universiade.
Wentworth has been Vice-Chair of the Rhodes University Rowing Club, Captain of the men’s section, Vice-Chair of USSA rowing. In addition, he has helped countless crew members by taking responsibility for the maintenance of boats and other equipment. His abilities and demonstration of the core values of rowing has seen him rewarded by the Rhodes University Rowing Club and nationally through his selection to represent South Africa and the World Student games.
The winner of the 2015 Parmigiani Spirit Award will receive a hand-crafted Parmigiani Fleurier watch and the rowing club of the winner will be presented with a custom-made new Filippi racing eight boat.
The winner will be selected by a panel of judges which includes Mahe Drysdale who is an Olympic Champion single sculler from New Zealand, Lenka Wech a German Olympian and World Champion and Jean-Marc Jacot, Parmigiani Fleurier’s CEO.
Photo: From left to right: Jed Theron, Nick Greeff, Robert Stuart-Thompson and Tristan Wentworth competing at USSA.