CLEVELAND jet ski racer Bailey Cunningham is gearing up for the Australian titles after thrills and spills at the 2018 Jetski World Cup in Thailand.
The 20-year-old scored eighth overall in the international pro runabout open class, despite some earlier race gains.
Cunningham’s mother Tralee said her son had been in the top five in the first heat before hitting a wave, coming off the jet ski and scoring 11th position.
He finished fifth in second event and scored seventh in the third.
In the fourth heat, Cunningham came off his jet ski but finished the race.
“Bailey was in fourth position by the end of lap one but an incident with another jet ski saw Bailey dislodge from the jet ski,” she said.
“He was able to rejoin the field and complete the race.”
Ms Cunningham said the world cup at Thailand was the first time her son had compete on the world stage, vying for a $45,000 cash prize and chance to launch himself into professional territory.
He was a virtual unknown to world cup organisers before asking to compete, raising money to get there and boosting his training ahead of the competition.
Cunningham will compete at the Australian titles at Newcastle in April.
