Racing in the rain

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - They're consistently ranked in the top 20 in the country and this season isn't any different. A big reason why is skipper Dillon Paiva.

"My neighbor took me down to his house at the beach and I fell in love with it. I took a couple classes and then joined my high school team," said Paiva.

Paiva says he comes from a family of athletes, but once he got his first taste of the water and wind he knew it was for him.

"Absolutely, it's something about being on the water," said Paiva.

Head Coach Mitch Brindley said Dillon has made big strides now that he's in his junior season.

"He's was just named to US development team, he's really become a team leader and we're seeing a team leader," said Brindley.

Paiva just returned from his first taste of Olympic level training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.

"Four days of very very intense in the gym training, as well as a surprise two Navy SEALs trained with us," he said. Paiva added the SEALs and the soon to be Olympians taught him what it takes to stay mentally tough in the water.

"We were jumping in out of 40 degree water, it was very very mentally difficult," said Paiva.

Now that he got his feet wet, Paiva is already thinking 2016.

"In the United States sailors grow up with the dream or the goal to compete to the Olympics, but after that experience, I want to go there to win," said Paiva.