A ‘golden’ 2026 for rower Molly – from Henley Royal Regatta to a World University Rowing Championship win in Canada
There is something in the water in Coleraine. The Co Londonderry town and its impressive rowing clubs have fielded many top rowers who’ve gone on to Olympic success. From the Chambers brothers, Richard and Peters’ silver and Alan Campbell’s bronze at London 2012 to Hannah Scott’s impressive gold collected at the 2024 Paris Games.
Newly qualified dentist Molly Curry is also making huge strides in elite rowing circles. A former pupil of Coleraine Grammar School swimming was her first big passion but for Molly it was always up front in her mind to take up rowing. Along with her family, Molly travelled over to the London 2012 Olympics and was impressed when Alan Campbell along with Peter and Richard Chambers chalked up podium successes.
‘I continued to swim and played hockey at school initially, but when my school amalgamated with the boys’ school (which rowed) to become Coleraine Grammar School, I joined the school rowing club.”
Fast forward a decade and 2026 has been a special year for Molly both on the water and in progressing her dentistry career. Molly graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in July 2025 and during her time at the university she was a key member of Queen’s Boat Club.
In September 2025 her job as a newly qualified dentist took her to Stockton-on-Tees in the Northeast of England to complete a 12-month Dental Foundation Training period at a local practice. Alongside her work she trained at the Durham University Boat Club and coaches there put Molly in touch with Molesey Boat Club in Southwest London.
“Whilst living in Durham and working in Stockton I travelled down to London at the weekends to compete at competitions as part of a Molesey quad. Thankfully it all paid off as at the 2026 Henley Royal Regatta our crew won the inaugural Danesfield Challenge Cup.
“Our boat only met up to race and the most training we did as a crew was during Henley Week, so a really special win.”
After Henley, Molly was part of a week of seat racing with GB for FISU (Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire) and she was selected for double sculls with Ellie Dash from Cornwall.
“I’d never rowed with Ellie before and we trained for two weeks at Bath University then moved back to GB’s training facility at Caversham for the final preparations before travelling to London, Ontario in Canada for the 2026 FISU World University Rowing Championship.”
Once again Molly chalked up a win taking Gold in the Double Sculls with Ellie.
“It was really exciting to be selected as one of the three female scullers for FISU. It was a fantastic trip and to win the Gold in the double was the absolute icing on the cake.”
Other top achievements during 2026 include a championship quad win at last May’s Wallingford Regatta at Eton Dorney and in Germany a Quad win on both days at the Ratzeburg International Rowing Regatta.
Pre-2026 Molly took the runner up spot in the B Final at the 2023 World Rowing U23 Championships, “It was great to achieve one of my key goals by being selected and it was my first U23 Worlds although I was disappointed with the result.”
Also, semi-final spots in singles at Henley Women’s Regatta in both 2024 and 2025, a first at the Irish Rowing Championships (Inter double) and taking 4th place in the Senior Singles at the same competition.
Having completed her post-graduation dentistry year at Stockton, Molly took the decision to move to London and has joined Molesey Boat Club to further develop her rowing and dental career. and dental career.
“I would love to keep progressing towards the senior team and try to win another ‘red box’ at Henley Royal Regatta in 2027.”
Molly competes in all three boat classes; Singles, Doubles and Quads and loves the variety.
“It just depends on which category I get selected for. I like rowing in all three classes; however, I have particularly enjoyed the 2-crew boats this season as when I was at Queen’s University, I was mainly in the single.
“It was brilliant to make the Henley Women’s Regatta singles semis in 2025 where I was beaten by the eventual winner and Olympic Gold medallist, Imogen Grant.
“I really enjoyed being part of the GB FISU team during this summer (2026). Throughout the year, we train at our own clubs and attend trials to try to get selected for the different GB teams for summer racing. GB selection depends on how you perform in multiple trials on the water and the erg tests you complete.
“It was so much better this year having lots of athletes and coaches to go to trials with from the same club. Everyone supports and encourages each other.
“In sport I have found that there are many highs and lows – injury, non-selection and the depths of early morning winter training. However, the highs of team selection and competition successes make it all worth it.”
Her 2026/27 season started at Molesey in September and Molly is thrilled to be part of the set up in Southwest London.
“I loved training with Durham University all last year – it was brilliant and I loved the club. I’m so grateful to the coaches at Durham for suggesting Molesey as I wasn’t sure which club to try to join. I raced all summer with Molesey and had lots of fun and success. Molesey has amazing coaches and a lot of fast female athletes.
“My immediate rowing goal is to settle into my new club and get a solid block of training completed.
“This year was my first win at Henley Royal Regatta, and I loved the entire experience. I was stroking the Molesey quad in the Danesfield Challenge Cup. As a group of athletes, we came together well and we all really enjoyed it. It was an amazing week and winning my first red box was an experience I will never forget. I would love to do it all over again.”
When asked if an Olympic Games either LA 2028 or Brisbane 2032 are a potential goal, Molly says humbly, “Competing at Olympics level is always a possibility but perhaps not likely. It would be absolutely amazing, but the women’s sculling squad is already extremely strong and therefore it’s challenging to break into it. However, it’s definitely still a dream.”
Molly first became a Mary Peters Trust supported athlete in 2018 and values the help she got tremendously, “Funding awards from the Mary Peters Trust gave me the opportunity to go to British trials and have the chance of representing my country.
“Rowing is a very expensive sport and having to transport a boat to trials adds considerable costs, so the financial help is extremely useful and very much needed.
“Lady Mary is such an inspiration to all female athletes. Her dedication to helping aspiring athletes is incredible.”
