On November 20th, the World Rowing Federation (FISA) announced its 2015 award recipients. WinTech’s chief designer, Klaus Filter, received the Distinguished Service to International Rowing award. Per FISA’s website:

“Filter is known for revolutionising boat building. He began as a rower in East Germany and moved to boat building as a way to help support his family. Filter’s innovative ideas included bringing composite materials into boat building. He was a FISA commission member for a number of years and is known for always helping a rower with a boat problem.”

Filter is most known for integrating the human element into the evaluation and development of boat shape and waterline design. His designs, which all WinTech shells are based on, are of the most internationally decorated in the history of the sport.