7. ROWING: Northwich sculler stars on Great Britain debut

What? Coupe de la Jeunesse

When? July 27

Where? Irish National Rowing Centre

Ellie Cushen’s development into an international-standard rower has been remarkable.

But it’s no fluke either.

The teenager from Whitegate had surprised even herself when she took a single sculls title for her age-group category at the British Rowing Junior Championships in 2016.

Her dedication to improve since had not gone unnoticed and selectors included her in the British squad for the Couple de la Jeunesse.

And the sculler demonstrated her versatility by helping a women’s eight – when rowers have one oar each and not two – to an emphatic victory on the opening night in Cork.

It was quite the seven days for the Sir John Deane’s College student, who had celebrate a victory while wearing England’s colours at the Home International Regatta the previous weekend.

How we reported it: Northwich Rowing Club's Ellie Cushen stars for Great Britain

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Our sports writer remembers:

“I’ll always have a fascination with Ellie’s story because it is so inspiring.

“I remember receiving a phone call from her coach, Graham Jump, after she had stunned everybody at Nottingham to take gold in the under 15s girls’ single scull at the British Rowing Junior Championships.

“He couldn’t believe it, and nor could she.

“I was lucky enough to spend an hour with her upon her return from the Coupe de la Jeunesse earlier this summer and was so impressed by her humility.

“She was proud too, and quite rightly, of what she has achieved in a relatively short space of time.

“Hopefully this is just the latest chapter in her story, although she knows that 2019 will bring with it the added challenge of studying for her A-Level exams as well as going through a gruelling trials system for the British junior team.”