Harvard Claims Match Race National Championship

Harvard University’s match racing team executed simple tactics and excellent boathandling in light air to go undefeated and win the College Sailing Match Race National Championship in St. Petersburg, Florida. Corey Hall

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Harvard University captured the 2025 College Sailing Match Race National Championship on Sunday, November 17, completing an undefeated run to secure the title and cap a successful fall season.

The championship, hosted by the University of South Florida Sailing and The Saint Petersburg Yacht Club, was contested in light-air conditions, testing the teams’ boathandling and tactical acumen throughout the weekend.

“Winning College Sailing Match Race Nationals was a rewarding conclusion to a successful fall season after winning ACCs and the NEISA Fall Championship,” said Justin Callahan, a sophomore on the squad. “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 team’s growth and execution. “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,” O’Connor said. “They analyzed the race course properly in every race. They took advantage of every opportunity.”

Undefeated! Harvard University closed out the fall season by sweeping the field to capture the 2025 College Sailing Match Race National Championship in St. Petersburg, Florida. Corey Hall

College Sailing extended its congratulations to all the sailors and teams competing. The top finishers at the championship included:

• College of Charleston
• Tulane University
• Boston College
• Georgetown University
• Brown University
• Roger Williams University
• United States Naval Academy
• University of Illinois
• Stanford University

Special thanks were given to University of South Florida Sailing and The Saint Petersburg Yacht Club for hosting the championship.

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