The Annapolis Snipe Fleet is proud to claim Tevor Davis as a member of Fleet 532!
Every other year—in the off years for the biennial World Championship—outstanding Snipe sailors gather for two events. One brings together the best of the east for the European Championship; the other the best of the west for the Western Hemisphere and Asia Championship. This year’s “Westerns,” held out of San Diego Yacht Club in early September, was won by Justin Callahan and Trevor Davis of the United States. We’re proud to claim Trevor as a member of Annapolis Snipe Fleet 532!
Justin and Trevor topped a super tough fleet, featuring top teams from the United States, Japan, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and the Bahamas. All competitors had to qualify for the event, so there were no marshmallows on the starting line. Many competitors in international Snipe regattas have decades of experience in the class, but Justin and Trevor, as younger members of the fleet, have less time in the boat. How were they able to top such a talented fleet? Trevor recently shared some insights with me.
“The late summer in San Diego brought sunny, perfect weather and moderate, consistent breeze, setting the stage for ‘champagne’ Snipe racing conditions,” Trevor noted.
San Diego is unique as there are two areas where one-design boats race, and the Snipes enjoyed two days in South Bay (south of the Coronado Island bridge) in 12 to 16 knots and three days out in the ocean with lighter breeze and big ocean swell. With wide open areas to sail in, wind was fairly consistent and not very shifty.
Identifying those conditions and developing a plan was key for Trevor and Justin. “We had mostly low-risk starts because there wasn’t ever a big line bias; our starting location was mostly a matter of which side of the racecourse we wanted to work towards because there were not a whole lot of shifts to tack on,” Trevor explained. “In a consistent ocean venue, checking course angles using the compass is critical.”
In the ocean, they focused hard on working the boat up, over, and down the long-period swells: “The apparent wind changes drastically with the steep swell, which can mildly confuse your sense of direction and relative angles. The apparent wind swings demanded constant sail trim adjustments to keep flow attached with each passing swell.”
Teamwork played a big role in their success, too. While Justin and Trevor have sailed several regattas together (including winning the 2024 Snipe Nationals), they are busy young sailors who haven’t had a lot of time to set aside for training outside of regattas. To develop efficient and effective teamwork, they have identified each other’s skill sets.
“Justin is very strong tactically, executes confidently on the starting line, and carries strong driving and trimming technique, while I have accumulated a lot of experience with boat setup, mode changing for the conditions, jib trim, and weight placement relative to the sea state. We are able to communicate very effectively, and we have a lot of fun getting around the racecourse,” Trevor said.
While sailing skill and teamwork are critical for regatta wins, developing game plans and timelines for preparing for big regattas is a key part of the jigsaw puzzle of success.
“An ample investment in lead-up time yields a distinct advantage, especially in the early stages of a long event where everyone is still working out kinks and making adjustments,” he stressed.
For Westerns, Trevor and Justin were able to borrow Annapolitan Brett Davis’s Snipe. The duo had used this boat before, so they were familiar with how it is set up. Trevor got extra practice at the Westerns venue by sailing the North Americans in late August (with Diego Escobar; they finished second).
“I was able to gain an understanding of the prevailing gradient wind patterns and hone some fast-trimming techniques for the ocean swell during these 10 or so total days we spent on location,” he said.
Of course, getting to know the regatta venue is only one element of preparation. Dinghy sailing in a boat like the Snipe is physically demanding, especially of the crew.
“When I am in the gym working on fitness well before traveling for an event or practicing in the boat, some of my favorite exercises are the rowing machine or stationary bike with a focus on core engagement and cardio endurance.”
Building on their 2025 Westerns win, Trevor is looking ahead to the 2026 Snipe World Championship (in Menorca, Spain). It’s nearly a year away, but they are already working on plans for their boat, funding, and training that will match the expected conditions.
“There will be stiff competition from Brazilian, Spanish, Argentinian, and fellow American teams at this championship, so the regatta starts now,” Trevor emphasized.
Even with his intense focus on sailing, Trevor finds great balance in his life. A 2024 graduate of Tufts University, he works for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Washington, DC, where he administers grants for conservation and ecological restoration projects.
“I am as passionate about ecological restoration as I am about Snipe sailing, and I feel very fortunate to spend my weeks gaining exposure to the funding mechanisms that support this incredible work being implemented across the country,” he explained.
Trevor’s experience highlights how sailors can support each other and give back to their class. Trevor crewed for Brett Davis a few times in 2021, and then Brett—busy with a young son—offered Trevor his boat for 2021 Snipe Nationals in Annapolis.
“I got to know our phenomenal fleet 532 and found a welcoming community of sailors with a balance of passions for fierce competition and collaboration,” he said.
Brett continued encouraging and supporting Trevor’s growth in the Snipe class. Trevor says that support is not surprising: “While his support has been exceptional, it is consistent with the opportunities that the Snipe fleet regularly provides, which is allowing our fleet to grow in popularity among college and post-college sailors. I strive to pay this forward to all of my talented friends who are new to the class, especially when I get my own boat someday!”
by Kim Couranz
Editor’s note: Learn about the Snipe fleet in Annapolis at severnsailing.org/snipe.
