Molly Caudery - Resilience in the Air
- Mark Dunn
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 17
Resilience in the Air - Molly Caudery Reclaims Her Throne at the UK Indoor Championships
Article by Mark Dunn for Sports News-UK
The atmosphere at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham was electric as the women’s pole vault took center stage. All eyes were on one woman: Molly Caudery.
After a 2025 season that Molly herself described as a "downhill rollercoaster"—marked by a heartbreaking ankle injury during warm-ups at the World Championships in Tokyo—the mission today wasn't just about the height; it was about the comeback.
Molly Caudry Celebrates - Photos by Mark Dunn Photography | Reporting for Sports News UK
The Performance
Caudery secured the UK title with a clearance of 4.65m. While she is the British record holder with a lifetime best of 4.92m, today was about clinical execution under self-imposed constraints. Competing off a shortened run-up, she showed the technical prowess that made her a World Indoor Champion in 2024.
Molly Caudry - Photos by Mark Dunn Photography | Reporting for Sports News UK
In Her Own Words - Speaking after her victory, the relief was palpable.
"I am actually feeling a lot of relief after what happened last year... I have had my fair share of injuries, but this one has been quite challenging. So today it was really nice to get back out there."
Molly was candid about her current fitness, noting that while she isn't "quite ready to compete" at her absolute peak yet, the journey to the World Indoor Championships in Torun required her presence in Birmingham.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Torun
The win acts as a vital stepping stone. With three weeks until her next competition, Caudery and her team are heading back to the training block to transition back to a full run-up.
The scars of Paris and Tokyo are clearly being used as fuel.
"It was so disappointing to have gone out before even getting to start at Worlds... but it is a new year, and I am trying not to dwell on it."
If today’s performance is any indication, the "rollercoaster" is officially heading back up. With her trademark grit and a title back under her belt, 2026 is looking like the year of Molly Caudery.
Molly Caudry - Photos by Mark Dunn Photography | Reporting for Sports News UK
While Molly Caudery took the headlines with her golden comeback, the podium was rounded out by two of the UK’s most consistent domestic performers, making it a "battle of the Jades" for the remaining medals.
Jade Spencer-Smith: Silver Persistence
Securing the silver medal was Jade Spencer-Smith (Lee Valley), who cleared a height of 4.25m. Spencer-Smith has become a familiar face on the national circuit, and her performance in Birmingham was a testament to her composure. She produced what was described as a "clutch" jump at the 4.25m mark to edge ahead in the standings, proving that she can deliver when the pressure of a national final is at its highest.
Jade Spencer Smith - Photos by Mark Dunn Photography | Reporting for Sports News UK
Jade Ive: Bronze and a Season's Best
The bronze medal went to the experienced Jade Ive (Sutton & District), who cleared 4.15m. For Ive, this height represented a crucial Season’s Best (SB), showing that her form is peaking at exactly the right time for the indoor championships. Having been a multi-time domestic medalist throughout her career, her ability to once again find the podium underscores the depth of talent currently sitting just behind the world-leading Caudery in British pole vaulting.
Jade IVE - Photos by Mark Dunn Photography | Reporting for Sports News UK
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