Five categories are being contested, with the International Rowing Federation's (FISA) Executive Committee to pick the winners by Monday (October 13).

The list of nominees was narrowed down by the FISA Council after the initial public nomination process.

Among the four finalists in the Female Crew of the Year is single sculler Eveline Peleman of Belgium, winner of a gold medal at her first senior Championships, and New Zealand's lightweight double sculls pairing of Sophie Mackenzie and Julia Edward, who won World Championship gold just two weeks after joining forces.

Male Crew of the Year finalists include unbeaten New Zealand pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, and Denmark's lightweight four, who defended both their European and world Championship titles this year.

The three Para Crew of the Year nominees include single sculler Erik Horrie of Australia, who retained his World Championships title this year.

Coach of the Year will be contested by three finalists.

Denmark's Bent Fransson, who has coached the country's so-called "golden four" since 2007, is among them.

Former FISA President Denis Oswald is among the three nominees for the Distinguished Services to International Rowing award ©Bongarts/Getty Images



The Distinguished Services to International Rowing award has three finalists, including Australian John Boultbee.

He was secretary general of FISA from 1989 to 1995, chair of FISA's Competitive Rowing Commission from 1998 to 2014, a FISA Council member from 1998 to 2014 and an Executive Committee member from 2004 to 2014.

Swiss Denis Oswald, FISA President for 25 years before stepping aside this year, is also in the frame.

Boultbee had stood to replace Oswald at the FISA Ordinary Congress in Chungju last September but been defeated by France's Olympic gold medallist Jean-Christophe Rolland.

The winners are due to be announced and presented with their awards at the 2014 World Rowing Coaches Conference gala dinner on November 8 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The full list of finalists can be seen here.