Harvard wins Open Team Race Nationals

The Harvard University Sailing Team won the 2026 College Open Team Race National Championship on April 23-25 in New Orleans, LA. This was their second consecutive title and third title in four years.

Sixteen teams competed in variable conditions on Lake Pontchartrain, with the Stanford University Cardinal finishing second and the Roger Williams University Hawks in third.

Entering the event as the top-ranked team in the country, the Harvard Crimson sailors lived up to expectations and delivered a dominant performance over the first two stages of competition – ending the round of eight with a 20-2 record and the championship title secured before the final round began.

“It was a special team win,” said senior Harvard skipper Mitchell Callahan. “Each member on the roster contributed immensely, and I am so grateful for the incredible group of people that make up the Harvard sailing team. We have the best coaches, sailors, support staff, and parents in the sport, and I could not be more proud or more grateful to be a part of such a historic team.”

Sailing for Harvard were the pairings of Justin Callahan-Christina Chen, Mitchell Callahan-Rosella Irfan, and Robby Meek-Jacob Posner. For the Callahans, they have competed in all three of the Crimson’s open team race national title victories.

With Harvard’s title already secured, the focus of the final four shifted to the battle for the remaining podium positions. Based on their record from the previous rounds, the Dartmouth Big Green were locked into fourth, but their performance in the final stage proved decisive in shaping the final order between Stanford and Roger Williams who entered with equal records.

“We had a lot of things break our way in the really tight battle for the top eight and then the final four. The team was eager to get some wins against the teams that had bested us in the first two rounds,” said Dartmouth Sailing Interim Head Coach Rebecca McElvain, whose team went undefeated in the final round.

Dartmouth’s clean sweep meant that the podium positions were determined by the final race between Stanford and Roger Williams.

“Our team worked super hard this entire season and it shows in our finals results,” said senior Dartmouth skipper Bella Casaretto. “We were able to come back from losses and improve consistently throughout the event. The last round was our best performance of the season and was a perfect way to end.”

Dartmouth’s success in the final round came after a tie-breaker was needed to select the last team that would advance to the final four. Just one race win was the difference between teams five through eight after twenty-two races each.

“The margins were razor-thin throughout, and the level of racing on display was truly world-class,” said Georgetown Head Coach Michael Callahan whose team advanced to the round of eight. “It was a privilege to witness such outstanding competition, and our athletes represented themselves and our program with distinction.”

With several key starting skippers from the podium teams set to graduate, the depth of this year’s field suggests an even more open contest for the national title next season.

Next up is the Women’s Team Race Nationals on April 26-27 in New Orleans, LA.

Event details – Results

Final Results:
1. Harvard University (22/3)
2. Stanford University (17/8)
3. Roger Williams University (16/9)
4. Dartmouth College (15/10)
5. Brown University (12/10)
6. Georgetown University (12/10)
7. Tulane University (11/11)
8. U.S. Naval Academy (11/11)
9. College of Charleston (8/7)
10. Boston College (7/8)
11. University of Pennsylvania (7/8)
12. Tufts University (6/9)
13. U.S. Coast Guard Academy (4/11)
14. St. Mary’s College of Maryland (4/11)
15. Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2/13)
16. Northwestern University (0/15)

2025-26 Season

2025 Fall National Championships:
November 8-9 – Women’s and Open Singlehanded Nationals – Old Dominion Univ / Norfolk, VA
November 15-16 – Match Race Nationals – St Petersburg Yacht Club / St Petersburg, FL

2026 Spring National Championships:
April 23-25 – Open Team Race Nationals – Tulane Univ / New Orleans, LA
April 26-27 – Women’s Team Race Nationals – Tulane Univ / New Orleans, LA
May 20-23 – Women’s Dinghy Nationals – Univ of South Florida / St. Petersburg, FL
May 27-30 – Open Dinghy Nationals – Univ of South Florida / St. Petersburg, FL

Source: Delaney Conlogue, ICSA Communications Committee