Billy Stairmand finished runner up at Vissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro presented by Mad Mex World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event. After a huge week at Avoca Beach, The Pines delivered picturesque conditions for Finals Day with clean two-to-three foot waves to complete the event in style.
The Men’s final brought together two absolute powerhouses from the event in Stanwell Park surfer Kalani Ball and New Zealand’s veteran Qualifying Series surfer Billy Stairmand. Both surfers forged different paths to the finals and were certainly made to work for a finals berth by Jagger Bartholemew (Gold Coast) and Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head) who ripped their way into the Semifinals.
Ball was able to get the nod in his Semifinal matchup in a very high scoring affair, whilst Stairmand had to wait till the dying moments in a close heat to get a score that shot him into first place right on the buzzer.
The final was tight from the outset with Ball and Stairmand trading blows early in a close encounter. Ball was able to score a strong score in the middle part of the heat that was able to put the pressure on the New Zealand surfer. The Stanwell Park powerhouse was able to show off his elite and deep repertoire of manoeuvres; in the dying stages he threw to the air with a huge reverse to put the result out of reach for Stairmand as time elapsed.
Ball now secures his first QS 3000 event win in his third event of the NSW Pro Surf Series and keeps his momentum swinging in the right direction after a Semifinal finish at Port Stephens in the Gage Roads Port Stephens Pro.
“It’s such an amazing feeling to get the win against such a great competitor like Billy,” Ball said. “The heat felt like it was going forever and I was constantly looking down at my watch feeling a bit nervous, but when time ran out I was in front and I’m absolutely stoked. I’ve had so many second and third place results so it’s just amazing to finally crack that win and continue to execute the game plan that worked for me all event”.
Finishing in second was Kiwi sensation Billy Stairmand who was gallant in defeat and did his country proud in an event where he certainly delivered plenty of entertainment.
