A TEENAGER entered a national regatta for the first time to find out what it was like to race there – and returned home a champion.
Ellie Cushen, of Grange School Rowing Club, won a gold medal in the under 15s girls’ single sculls at the British Rowing Junior Championships on Sunday.
She had only raced solo at one previous event.
“And she fell in that day too,” said Graham Jump, head coach at the Hartford school.
“We talked about whether to give the nationals a try, and decided it would be a good experience for her with the intention on giving it a serious crack next year.
“She only went and won the thing – that wasn’t part of our plan, I can assure you!
“Ellie sculled beautifully, adapting to testing conditions – as well as unfamiliar surroundings – with really impressive maturity.”
Cushen, 15, was almost two seconds faster than her closest rival – Isle of Ely’s Freya Dingwall – during a time trial over 1,500m at the National Water Sports Centre on Saturday.
She was an emphatic winner in the first semi final the following morning, reaching the finish more than 12 seconds clear of Anna Buchanan (George Watson’s College).
The final provided a different challenge, with Cushen adrift in third place by halfway.
She closed a gap to Dingwall with 500m left, then stormed past her rival in the closing stages to win by seven seconds.
Charlie Charlton, of Tyne, took bronze.
“She’s a talented girl, and we’re absolutely made up for her,” added Jump.
“Sunday provided a different challenge in hot temperatures after strong winds had affected things the previous day.
“But it didn’t worry her.”
Result
British Junior Rowing Championships
Sunday, July 17
Under 15s girls’ single sculls
A Final: 1. Ellie Cushen (Grange School) 9.27.79; 2. Freya Dingwall (Isle of Ely) 9.34.24; 3. Charlie Charlton (Tyne) 9.42.02; 4. Anna Buchanan (George Watson’s College) 9.54.00; 5. Izzie Bird (Maidenhead) 10.13.01; 6. Heather Gordon (Inverness) 10.20.78
Grange School's Ellie Cushen, centre, on the podium following her victory at the British Rowing Junior Championships on Sunday. She is joined by silver-medallist Freya Dingwall, left, and Charlie Charlton, who took bronze
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