Get a look at Olympic hopefuls off the coast of Clearwater this week on some fast-moving sailboats. 

More than 70 sailing teams from around the globe are racing as they work toward a spot in the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

A sailing team from the USA, Paris Henken, 19, and Helena Scutt, 22, trained on the water Wednesday.  Every competition could get them closer to their goal.

"To go to the Olympics, that would be everything,” said Henken, who’s originally from San Diego, “It's everyone's dream here in sailing and it would just mean so much to us."

It's what they've wanted since they started sailing on the west coast at a young age.  The two used to be competitors but have now joined as a team, and say they’re more like sisters.

The team's racing in this week's Nacra 17 49er and 49er-fx North American championships.  It's the first time the event has been held in Clearwater.  The event features the fast 2-person boats to be used in the 2016 Olympics.

The teams have come from all around the world.  There are 75 boats, from 20 different countries.

Brothers Anton and Carlos Paz are a 49er team from Spain.

"When you go out on the water, it's like you feel free,” said Anton.

Another pair of siblings are competing in the women's race; twins Lotta and Jule Gorge.

"We want to sail for Germany in the Olympics.   That's our biggest goal every that would be just awesome," said Lotta.

It's all a preview to the world championships, also to be held in Clearwater next year.  That’s when Rio-bound sailors will be in the final stages of prep for the games.

Scutt said they practice 5 or 6 days a week, and there are a lot of variables that go in to sailing skills, including reading the wind, waves, and current.

"Our boats are really tippy so it's quite a challenge to keep the boats upright,” said Scutt, “There's also tactics and that's how you're racing against other boats and how do you position yourself."

The teams will be here through Sunday and are hoping to at least get in a little time on land to enjoy Clearwater Beach.

If you want to get a look at the teams in action, one of the best views will be off Pier 60.

The competitions are happening Thursday through Sunday.