Something that I love the most about Jet Skiing are the “Vintage Jet Ski Racers.” They were the people who started the sport, and their stories help make people think that Jet Skiing is super cool. Jeff Jacobs is a great example; he is my favorite racer next to Rob Flores. Jeff was one of the greatest stand up riders ever. My first year at the World Finals, my sister Anna got to put her vintage ski in the Vintage Museum, because she had helped bring the vintage class back to the World Finals. While we were there, out of the blue Jammin’ Jeff Jacobs came and talked to us. While my sister and I tried to hold back our excitement, The Jammer told us all his stories about racing back in the day and he gave Anna tons of tips on how to race. Another great racer was Rob Flores. The first time I met Rob was at my first National Tour race in Louisiana. I didn’t really talk to Rob until my third National Tour race in Racine, Wisconsin. We were working on skis, and my sister told me to go over and sit on his super cool golf cart, so I did. That was the start of the “Crew Chief-Racer Bond”. I am now Rob Flores’ crew chief and we hang out all the time. Now that the Jet Girls are much cooler, we’ve met tons of old-school legends like “The Terrorizer” Tera Laho, Larry Rippenkroeger, Chris “the Flyin’ Fish” Fishetti, “Mad Dog” Dawn Wood and “Phamous” Bob Phares. You should never forget that vintage racers are just as cool as everyone else and even cooler, because they helped make the sport as cool as it is today.
Be excellent to each other,
Jessie Glennon
Jet Girl 888
Jessie’s Excellent Jet Ski Adventures, a column written by 13-year-old Junior Ski US National Champion, Jessie Glennon. Jessie is well-known for her big heart and matching personality.