CRC’s Ben Davison readies for the Challenges of World Cup Singles Competition

During a decorated four-year career at the University of Washington and an equally prolific stint on the junior U.S. Rowing circuit, Ben Davison frequently competed in single sculls competitions—often with impressive results. 

Davison capture the singles championship at the 2018 Head of the Charles, the largest two-day regatta in the world. He also won the single sculls at the 2015 Under-23 World Championship Trials and the single sculls at the 2014 Under-23 races and the 2014 Junior World Championship trials.

Until this past March, however, he has never competed in the single sculls at the senior level. Unsurprisingly, his first attempt in that category against senior competition was a success—he captured first place at the 2022 National Selection Regatta in Sarasota, Florida—but he fully understands the challenges he faces as he trains for the World Cup in Poland from June 17 – 19.

“This is a whole new challenge,” said Davison, who is a key member of the California Rowing Club (CRC). “I mean, all rowing events are competitive, but the singles in particular is tough, because you could have anywhere from 30 – 40 entries in one qualifying field. You have to be very consistent and every stage of the competition—just qualifying for the final is going to be hard.”

Given the ultra-competitive nature of the singles competition, Davison is trying to be realistic about racing in the event moving forward as he seeks to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, but he’s excited to see how performs against the best rowers in the world.

“If I’m competitive in the World Cup, I think it’s in the ballpark to keep training for singles for the Olympics,” said Davison, who helped Team USA to a fourth-place finish at the Rowing Eight competition in the Tokyo Olympics. “In general, it will be a year-to-year basis, but this race will sort of help guide the decision for what I’ll do in the World Championship [in the Czech Republic] later this summer.”

CRC coach Mike Teti said that Davison has been enjoying very productive training sessions on the water in Oakland.

“Ben’s been doing great,” said Coach Teti. “He’s healthy and really getting back to his speed now. He’s in a good space at the moment.”

Davison has benefitted from training alongside fellow CRC athlete Sorin Kosyzk, who has elected to stay in Oakland while most of the CRC teammates relocate briefly to Sacramento for the US Rowing Selection Camp.

“It’s been great having Sorin push Ben every day in practice,” said Coach Teti.

While in Poland, Davison could race as many as five times over three days at the World Cup, a grueling schedule. So, although it’s important to get acclimated to a new time zone and environment, Davison said he won’t arrive too early prior the event, as he will he need all the time he can get to train stateside.

“We’ll be there a couple of days early just to adjust everything, but it'll be a fairly quick compared to normal,” said Davison. “Really it’s about training for the long-term and we have a couple of huge international races after the World Cup that I need to stay fit for.”

The road to Paris is a long and difficult one—especially in the single sculls category—but Davison is giving every indication he’s ready for the ride.