Bailey Cunningham, 19, of Cleveland is expected to join the world’s best in China in September to compete on jetski at the world class Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) event.
His selection follows winning performances at the Australian Jetski Nationals in Newcastle on June 9 and 10 and the Queensland flatwater at Redcliffe on May 6 and surf titles at Caloundra on May 20.
Cunningham came away at State a champion in the flatwater in the PROAM stock class. He was also leading the point with a three-race win in the GP runabout class only to hit a freak wave that threw him from the ski, and knocked him off as winner to finish third overall.
Two weeks later, Cunningham competed at the jetski surf titles where he finished second in PROAM Stock.
He then travelled to Newcastle where he raced the Australian titles, placing third in the PRO stock class. In the Pro Runabout premier class, he battled with the current Australian champion, showing impressive talent on skis that get to 120km in 1.2 seconds and travel more than 155kmph.
Despite a fuel issue, Cunningham took the second place trophy and plate.
In December, he will travel to Thailand to race at the Thailand world championships.
Cunningham took up racing four years ago, moving from Gokart racing.
His mother Tralee Cunningham said he always had an interest in motorsport.
“He’s young to be competing at this level, but he is well respected and regarded as a good and capable rider,” she said.
The former Cleveland primary and high school student works as an apprentice at Worx Racing, Gold Coast.