Ryan Belmore for What's Up Newport
Jul 29, 2025
Harvard senior captures 8 first-place finishes in 470 class at premier sailing event
Read on What's Up Newport
Newport sailor Justin Callahan launched his 2028 Olympic campaign with a commanding victory at the Long Beach Olympic Class Regatta, finishing with just 15 points over 12 races in the 470 class.
The Harvard University senior and reigning College Sailor of the Year captured eight first-place finishes during the July 12-18 competition, sailing alongside crew member Lara Dallman-Weiss of Miami.
“It was a healthy start for what will be a long and challenging Olympic campaign,” said Callahan, 22. “I was most pleased about the fact that we improved our boat speed and boat handling as the regatta went along.”
The Long Beach Olympic Class Regatta serves as a premier proving ground for Olympic hopefuls preparing for international competition.
Callahan, who splits his time between Newport and Miami, has collected three world championships and 16 national titles. As captain of Harvard’s sailing team, he has led the Crimson to three consecutive college national championships.
The decorated sailor recently moved to the 470 class as he shifts focus toward representing the United States at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He plans to return to Harvard for his senior year before committing to full-time Olympic training.
“We worked hard to adapt to the conditions each day, and our teamwork really paid off,” Dallman-Weiss said of their Long Beach performance.
Callahan’s victory marks the beginning of what promises to be an intensive three-year campaign leading up to the Los Angeles Games.