"Liv Cheesmur expresses her exhilaration at securing the gold, highlighting her exceptional year with the club and on the national team"
Liv Cheesmur Becomes U23 World Rowing Champion
Liv Cheesmur, a member of Molesey Boat Club (BC) and a Princeton University rower, has made history by winning the U23 World Championship in rowing. This victory marks the culmination of a series of progressive achievements and a testament to her dedication and the supportive environment at Molesey BC.
Cheesmur's journey began with a bronze medal at the U19 World Rowing Championships in 2023, followed by a silver medal in 2024. Her hard work and perseverance paid off when she led the British women’s quadruple sculls team to a gold medal at the 2025 U23 World Rowing Championships in Poznan[1][2].
The British women’s quadruple sculls, which also included Ellie Cooke, Finnola Stratton, and Poppy Baker, displayed a commanding performance, leading from the start and winning by a clear margin of nearly three seconds[2]. The crew's success is a testament to their prior World Championship experience and the strong, experienced lineup fostered through consistent club and national team involvement[1].
Molesey BC has played a crucial role in Cheesmur's development as an elite rower. The club has been her training base throughout her championship campaigns, and she is regarded as a stalwart of the club. The steady improvement from bronze to silver and ultimately gold reflects not only her personal dedication but the supportive and competitive environment at the club that fosters high-performance rowing talent[1].
In addition to her success at Molesey BC, Cheesmur has also honed her skills in collegiate rowing at Princeton University. This dual development path has complemented her club and national team experience, providing her with a well-rounded and sustained pathway of development culminating in world-class U23 success[1][2][4][5].
The U23 campaign was not without its challenges, but the crew managed to build trust both on and off the water. The Reading girls' sculling skills and experiences were a valuable learning resource for Cheesmur during the campaign[6]. The crew was coached by Chris Bartley, an Olympic silver medallist and Performance Coach at Reading University BC since 2016[7].
Cheesmur spent a lot of time in the single early in the year but prioritized time in the crew for major events. This refocus from single to crew sculling was crucial during trials[8]. The Reading girls' way of rowing their quads was also a valuable learning experience for Cheesmur[9].
In the future, Cheesmur plans to return to academics at Princeton University in the autumn[10]. The women's squad at Molesey BC, led by Sam Tuck, is one of the strongest and deepest in the country[11]. The squad has seen growth due to the presence of strong rowers like Megan Slabbert, Ang Broughton, and Heloise Wormleighton.
Chris Bartley, Cheesmur's coach, found his approach to data and use of telemetry during training to be exceptional and a valuable learning experience[3]. Bartley himself won the Lightweight Coxless Pair and set a new world best time in 2006 at the U23 level[3].
The women's squad at Molesey BC has an extensive trials system to prepare for early trials. Liv Cheesmur and her crew won the Wargrave Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta[12].
In conclusion, Liv Cheesmur's journey to becoming the U23 World Champion in rowing was marked by progressive achievements and strong development at Molesey Boat Club. Her victory is a testament to her dedication, the supportive environment at the club, and the trials system in the UK that prepares rowers for international competitions.
[1] Molesey Boat Club [2] World Rowing [3] British Rowing [4] Princeton University Rowing [5] USA Rowing [6] Reading University Boat Club [7] British Rowing Performance Directory [8] British Rowing Trials [9] Reading University Boat Club [10] Princeton University [11] Molesey Boat Club [12] Henley Royal Regatta
Cheesmur's accomplishment is a significant milestone for the rowing community, as she brought home the U23 World Championship in her sport. The rowing day-to-day at Molesey Boat Club, where Cheesmur trained extensively, contributes to the nurturing of high-performance rowing talent within the sports community.
