Harvard rules at College Match Nationals

Harvard Sailing dominated the field over two days of action, going undefeated to win the 2025 ICSA Match Race National Championship, held in St. Petersburg over November 15-16. Ten teams competed in J/70 class keelboats for the Cornelius Shields, Sr. Trophy and the title of ICSA National Champion. The Crimson went 7-0 en route to its third match race national crown in program history and first since 2001.

Led by skipper Justin Callahan, with crew Mitchell Callahan, Harrison Strom, and Kate Danielson, Harvard bested the top-10 collegiate match racing teams in the country. In very light wind that made boat handling paramount, the Crimson led at every mark and sailed a flawless event from start to finish.

“Winning College Sailing Match Race Nationals was a rewarding conclusion to a successful fall season after winning [Open] ACCs and the NEISA Fall Championship,” said Justin Callahan ’26. “This team means everything to me. Having my twin brother, Mitchell, by my side made the victory all the more meaningful, along with Kate and Harrison, who competed with me in Poland this summer where we earned bronze for the USA at the World Championship.”

Head Sailing Coach Mike O’Connor praised the squad’s growth. “I’m very proud of our team. They learned some hard lessons at this regatta last year. They used simple tactics and excellent boathandling to control their opponents. They analyzed the race course properly in every race. They took advantage of every opportunity.”

For the regatta, Harvard defeated College of Charleston, Tulane University, Boston College, Georgetown University, Brown University, Roger Williams, US Naval Academy, University of Illinois, and Stanford to win its fourth national championship of any kind since the 2022-23 campaign. Since the start of ’22-23, the Crimson has won the 2023 ICSA Open Team Race National Championship, 2024 ICSA Fleet Race National Championship, the 2025 ICSA Team Race National Championship and now the 2025 ICSA Match Race National Championship.

The match race crown marks the seventh regatta victory of the fall for the Crimson and does not include Harvard’s individual win at the NEISA Open Singlehanded Championship or the ICSA Open Singlehanded National Championship, both of which were claimed by Robby Meek.

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