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Photo Credit: Rob Migliaccio
Harvard Sailors: Justin Callahan ’26, Kennedy Leehealey ’26, Mitchell Callahan ’26, Aidan Pesce ’26, Robby Meek ’27, Rosella Irfan ’27, Alexandra Dorofeev ’25
Coaches: Michael O’Connor, Bern Noack, Stan Schreyer
Saturday, April 26 – Three days of sailing in big wind and shifty conditions created opportunities for major leaderboard shake ups but, after it all, the Harvard University Crimson are the 2025 College Sailing Open Team Race National Champions.
Seeking redemption after a close second place finish to Roger Williams University in 2024, the Harvard Crimson fought their way to the top of the leaderboard on the penultimate day of racing and held the lead through both the round of eight and the final four. The team’s 20/5 record was impressive, but perhaps more so is that the team did so in a Play 1 combination for all twenty of those race wins.
Second place finishers Yale University, and third place Roger Williams, each drew a win against the Crimson in the final four. With the Yale Bulldogs having secured their second place finish, the final podium spot came down to the last meet up between Roger Williams and Stanford which the Roger Williams Hawks clinched in a 1-2-3 combination.
Tensions were high at each stage of elimination. Sail-offs were needed to decide the final two spots in the round of eight–which went to Tulane University and Boston College– and a sail-off between host school Brown University and Stanford University decided the last spot in the final four.
“Every year is its own challenge,” said Justin and Mitchell Callahan, junior returning skippers for Harvard. “We felt the field was the most competitive we have seen top to bottom so we are just super happy to come out on top.”
“I’m really proud of everyone on the team,” said Harvard Associate Head Coach, Bern Noack. “It’s called ‘team racing’ for a reason. That applies to the boats working as one on the water but beyond that all the heavy [wind] crews who sailed key races, all the teammates who made practices great all year and all of the athletic department and the Friends of Harvard sailing who support us.”
Noack gave special recognition to Harvard’s Head Coach, Mike O’Connor for his leadership and the tall bar he set for the team.
Final Record
1. Harvard University (20/5)
2. Yale University (19/6)
3. Roger Williams University (18/7)
4. Stanford University (14/11)
5. Brown University (13/9)
6. Boston College (12/10)
7. Dartmouth College (12/10)
8. Tulane University (8/14)
9. U.S. Naval Academy (8/7)
10. St. Mary’s College of Maryland (6/9)
11. Georgetown University (6/9)
12. Tufts University (6/9)
13. U.S. Coast Guard Academy (5/10)
14. College of Charleston (5/10)
15. Bowdoin College (2/13)
16. University of Michigan (0/15)
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