Maddie Greenstock (Molesey BC/Stanford University), and Imogen Cabot (Leander Club/ Yale University), Hutchinson rowed with trademark grit and power, the culmination of nearly a decade of dedication to the sport she once took up on a whim. “I’m incredibly proud to represent both Bann and Coleraine on the world stage,” said Hutchinson. “Winning gold for Great Britain is something I’ve dreamed about for years. To do it twice, with such an amazing crew, is surreal.” From the Bann to the Big Leagues Born in May 2004, Ellie-Kate first picked up an oar at the age of 12 thanks to a twist of fate. Her older brother, Tom, suffered a rugby injury that led him toward rowing, and the younger Hutchinson soon followed him down to Bann Rowing Club. What started as a sibling-inspired
hobby soon revealed serious potential. “Ellie-Kate came onto the scene when she was around 15, and we noticed immediately she had something special,” recalls Geoffrey Bones, her long-time coach at Bann Rowing Club. “She had that bit of extra fire, that drive to dig deep and keep going.” Under Bones’ guidance, Hutchinson’s rise was meteoric. She racked up Irish Rowing Championship titles in the 8+ (2019), 4+ (2021 & 2022) and 2+ (2022), and claimed gold in the Championship Girls Sculls at the prestigious National Schools Regatta at Eton Dorney. One of her proudest moments came in the 2022 British National Schools’ Championship, where she staged a stunning comeback, going from last place at the 1,000m mark to first in a photo finish. “That win summed her up,” says Bones. “When the pressure mounts, she finds another gear.”
From the River Bann to World Rowing Glory, the rise of another local talent chasing Olympic dreams
AT JUST 21 OLD , Ellie-Kate Hutchinson has already carved her name into rowing history - not once, but twice - after powering to victory with Team GB’s women’s four at the 2024 World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Poznań, Poland. The former Coleraine Grammar School pupil and Bann Rowing Club standout became a double world champion in late July, helping her boat storm to gold against a world-class field. Lining up with crewmates Jessica Martin (University of London BC),
52
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting