Andrew Vo Takes Podium at the World Series Jetski Race

My name is Andrew Vo, a professional 16 year old Jettribe
international jetski racer from the United States, and I want to share
my experience of the 2025 WGP#1 World Cup. The WGP#1 jetski racing
World Series consists of 3 rounds that span across 3 different
continents, where the best athletes, mechanics, and crew members come
together to battle for coveted world titles. This year’s World Series
started in Osaka, Japan for round 1, and stopped in Belgium for round
2, with round 3 always finishing the series in the beautiful beach
city of Pattaya, Thailand. I was fortunate enough to be able to
participate in all 3 rounds of the World Series this year, enjoying
the amazing sushi in Japan, and the chocolate waffles in Belgium,
before finishing out the World Tour in the tropical beaches of
Pattaya, Thailand. Thailand has a special place in my heart, also
being my home away from home.

This was my third year competing at the prestigious King’s Cup in
Thailand, and it marked a pivotal milestone in my racing journey. It’s
been a life-changing year for me as a young international athlete.
Words cannot begin to describe how grateful I am to be able to
experience diverse cultures and build lifelong friendships throughout
my travels.

The 2025 season marked the year where I graduated from the Junior
Class, advancing into the Adult’s Amateur Ski 4 Stroke Lites Class on
the Yamaha ski powered by a 1050cc motor. It was a huge mental and
physical shock moving into this next level of racing. Besides racing
on my Yamaha ski that I was accustomed to, I was also able to compete
on a Kawasaki 1500cc ski for the first time, a race ski graciously
offered by the Keenapan family. I cautiously accepted the generous
offer, knowing I am at a disadvantage competing in this class because
I do not have any practice time or experience on this particular ski.

As the final round of the World Series approached, I felt ill prepared
due to the fact that I recently started as a university freshman at
UTCC in Bangkok, Thailand. I was only able to ride my ski a handful of
times before the competition. In the bigger picture, education takes
priority.

The week of racing was intense and a big learning experience. I raced
and endured eight grueling, long motos over three days. This ocean
track was the largest and the most demanding track in the world. It
was emotionally draining and physically overwhelming.

 On Wednesday, I debuted in Novice Ski Stock, racing on the Kawasaki
1500 SXR for my first time. The starting line was stacked from pole to
pole with the best Stock Ski riders in the world. I entered this class
with low expectations, aiming to stay safe, and not be last. As my
trusted Thai holder Tum steadies my ski at the starting line, my past
racing experience and instinct takes over. All of my fear, emotions,
and competitors seem to fade away. As I hone in on the starting light,
I instinctively block out the deafening sound of the race skis firing
up, including the announcers and crowds. As the light goes from red,
to yellow, to green, I can only hear the beating of my own heart, and
my slow breathing. Through my foggy goggles, everything seems to go in
slow motion as I make the first turn rail to rail, elbow to elbow
against my competitors. Before I knew it, I spotted the checkered flag
in the scoring tower. Astoundingly, I was able to fight off most of
the pack and secure a solid 5th place. Fast forward to my 4th and
final moto of Novice Ski Stock, I rode like I had nothing to lose. It
was towards the end of the day, and the ocean conditions were rough,
which proves to be an equalizer for me, due to my competitors’
advantage of their higher top-end speed. The rough conditions take
away the advantage of having a faster ski. It boils down to stamina
and willpower. After the first lap, I settled into a comfortable 5th
position. From being 5th, I knew I had nothing to lose, and everything
to gain. From there, I rode like I had never rode before, and I was
able to pick off my competitors one by one before shockingly finding
myself in 1st place, and I never looked back, resulting in my first
ever moto win in the WGP#1 World Cup.

The rest of the week, I started and finished my Amateur Ski 4 Stroke
Lites class, the class I had raced the rest of the World Series in. I
was more comfortable and familiar with this ski. I raced 4 motos in
this class. 2 in the morning, and 2 in the evening. With the smoother
water, my ski was at a slight disadvantage because my competitors’ had
more horsepower, and higher top-end. I fought as hard as I could,
earning a respectable 4th place in both of my morning motos. Then came
the evening motos, where the water was rougher and I had a real chance
to shine. Relying on my stamina and willpower, I surprised myself by
earning 1st place in both of my afternoon motos. two motos, two first
place finishes,

By the end of the week, I was grateful to earn 3rd place overall in
both Amateur 4 Stroke Lites, and Novice Ski Stock after some hard
fought battles. For my first year racing outside of the junior
category, this result means a lot and shows me where I can keep
growing. For me to earn the elusive podium spot in the WGP#1 World Cup
was a lifetime accomplishment.

I would like to thank Nopphadom from the Freedom Racing family from
the bottom of my heart for taking me in as another son, giving me a
second family and home. The time I spend off the track at their house
really makes Thailand feel like a second home. I’m also very thankful
to Team Jettribe Vietnam and my holder Tum for their support all week,
the Keenapan family for generously lending their prized race ski, and
Akin Nipatcharoen for being a mentor as well as an older brother.  I
owe a huge thank you to my mechanic P’ Ped for dialing in the Superjet
and helping make these results possible. It takes a tremendous amount
of support and effort from my sponsors and support team for me to
compete on an international level. And most of all, I can’t thank my
mom and dad enough for their unwavered support and sacrifices for me
to have this next chapter in my life.

Huge spotlight to all of my sponsors:
Jettribe, Freedom Racing, Siam Watercraft, Henry and Flamingo Jetski
Team, BNJ parts, HydroTurf, Blowsion, CNB of Sulphur Springs and
Dale’s Jetsports, Grocery Supply, Sulphur Springs Vet