CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) – This year, Clearwater Beach hosted the 2022 West Marine US Open sailing series. More than 170 athletes from around the world trained throughout the year to compete in different sailing categories, but it’s more than just a competition, the stakes are high.

“In 2024, for these athletes that we are watching today, we will host their world championship which is their ticket to the Olympics. So that is so important, the Olympics being the goal of everything we do here” , said Fairlie Brinkley, senior race manager.

Going to the Olympics has been a long-time goal for kitesurfers like Markus Edegrann.

“We fly the kite and we have a board with a hydrofoil underneath that lifts us out of the water and gets us up to pretty cool speeds of around 45 miles per hour or so,” he said. declared.

Edegrann said watching the Winter Olympics in Beijing had him pumped up for his turn.

“I caught some. Obviously just a little busy this weekend, but I can’t wait to watch this and hope I can be there someday too.

He is currently leader in a kitesurfing category for this competition.

“I’m keeping the lead for now,” said Edegrann. “So I’m pretty well prepared for the last day. In fact, last year I was here and I got injured, so it will be good to put everything in place this year and keep going.

Racing will resume Sunday at 10 a.m. at Sand Key Park.