ITHACA, N.Y. — Former Cornell women's rower Solveig Imsdahl '13 is a world champion. Imsdahl and the U.S. women's coxed quadruple sculls won gold Tuesday at the 2026 World Rowing Coastal Championships at Golden Beach in Qingdao, China. It is the first medal of any color for a U.S. crew in the event.
"Going into this race, our goal was to make history," Imsdahl said. "To come away with gold is an unreal feeling."
The crew finished in 26:59.62, 17.28 seconds ahead of silver medalist Great Britain (27:16.90). Peru took bronze in 27:21.60.
Imsdahl rowed in the No. 2 seat with Jacqueline Carr at bow, Madeleine Focht at No. 3, Morgan Zahner at stroke and coxswain Natalie Cleri. The crew was third at the first split before Cleri found an opening at the second buoy.
"Our coxswain did an incredible job preparing us, reading the course and steering strategically," Imsdahl said. "She made a decisive move on the inside of a turn around the second buoy that put us into the lead, and from there, we were able to hold our position and extend our advantage over Great Britain and Peru to win gold."
The final came in rough water. Imsdahl said that shaped how the crew approached the race.
"Despite having a strong crew, believing in our speed and knowing what we were capable of, coastal rowing always involves an element of unpredictability," she said. "The day of the final presented very challenging rowing conditions, so unlike flat-water rowing, it wasn't about executing a 'perfect' race, but rather about adapting and focusing on having fewer mistakes than other crews and making smart and fast decisions in the moment."
The gold came two days after the crew finished fifth in its heat in 18:22.43.
"I've been rowing for 20 years now, and this has truly been the most exciting and exhilarating racing experience of my career," Imsdahl said. "The combination of the competition, the conditions and the energy of racing on the ocean made it incredibly memorable and special."
Imsdahl also raced the women's double sculls with Emma Tierney. The pair placed fourth in their heat in 19:17.70 to reach the 'A' final, where they finished sixth in 34:11.06. Tierney also rowed in the second U.S. women's quad, which finished fourth in the final.
The gold adds to Imsdahl's international résumé that includes a silver medal in the lightweight pair at the 2022 World Rowing Championships, which she won with Tierney's sister, Elaine. Imsdahl also raced for the U.S. at the 2023 World Championships and at the 2011 and 2012 World Rowing Under-23 Championships.
Former Cornell men's heavyweight rower Nick Potter '21 made his World Rowing debut in the mixed double sculls with Tasha Mae, racing for Next Level Rowing. The pair finished 10th in their heat in 20:22.60, then won the 'B' final Tuesday in 21:08.44, 26.56 seconds ahead of China, to place 18th overall.
Potter and Imsdahl will race together next at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. They are entered in the Directors' Challenge Mixed Doubles for Cambridge/Penn AC at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 17.
