Callahans win Snipe Junior Worlds

Justin and Mitchell Callahan (USA) secured the 2024 Snipe Junior World title in a 46-boat field on January 3-7 in Miami, FL. The twins posted just one score out of the top ten, winning two of the nine races for a margin of 13 points over Liam O’Keefe and Noah Zittrer (USA) followed in third by Peter Foley and Henry Tindall (USA).

“Winning this championship is just incredible,” said Justin Callahan, winning skipper. “Two years ago I finished fourth (with Noah Zittrer), so it’s amazing to come out and win the trophy on our home waters and in front of all our family and friends.”

With 19 countries and five continents competing, the Callahans are only the third American team to win the Junior Worlds trophy. They have previously had success in the i420 and C420 classes.

“Sailing with your brother, especially your twin brother, is one of the most special things you can do,” said Justin “We haven’t sailed together since 2020, so it’s cool to come back four years later and jump right back into it. We couldn’t be happier to win this together.”

“Our key was constant communication in the boat,” said Mitchell. “We stayed consistent, stayed levelheaded, and that really prevailed.”

The Callahans topped an all-American podium. Miami locals Liam O’Keefe and Noah Zittrer took second after starting the event with a UFD in race one. They were able to drop that score after race 7, catapulting them to podium, finishing with 39 points overall.

Americans Peter Foley and Henry Tindall rounded out the top three. With only two scores outside the top ten, the pair finished third with 53 points, just barely edging out the Spanish team of Carlos Bermudez de Castro Castro and Cesar Herrero Baspino.

Americans Audrey Foley and Avery Baldwin captured the top female team trophy, finishing sixth overall. Both Foley and Baldwin are Laser sailors who have only recently started training in the Snipe. Foley was the US representative in the girl’s ILCA 6 at the most recent Youth World Championship.

Spaniards Juan Fernandez Maldonado / Martin Fresneda Gazquez earned the top U-18 trophy, finishing fifth overall.

Biscayne Bay treated competitors to a wide range of conditions, from light and variable on day one to 16 knots gusting 20 on the fourth and sixth days of the championship. This year’s Junior World Championship was the largest iteration of the event since its inception in 1973.

“None of this would be possible without the amazing race committee at Coconut Grove Sailing Club and without the support of the Miami Snipe fleet,” said Andi Hoffman, Regatta Chair. “Coconut Grove has hosted three world championships in the 2023-2024 season, and I have to say this was the most inspiring.”

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