KEY POINTS:
Titahi Bay's champion surf boat crew are seeking a double shot of revenge at Piha's Big Wave Challenge starting today.
The New Zealand representatives enter the final round of the national series with a slim lead over hosts Piha, after Piha beat them in the last round at Waihi Beach.
Titahi Bay sweep Paul McVicar also has his eye on victory in the transtasman series run in conjunction this weekend, after losing to Australian champions Austinmer in a sprint up the beach last year.
But it was their narrow loss at Waihi that really irks McVicar, with the veteran sweep admitting his error cost his crew after they broached with a 10-length lead with the finish line in sight.
"We've just got to get rid of that driver error. The boys were joking that I've got learner plates on the back of the boat at the moment and l'm not supposed to carry passengers," McVicar said.
" I'm hoping to get a good result at Piha so I can graduate to my restricted licence."
The Wellington boat has spent the last few days training at Lyall Bay where a strong 2.5m southerly swell has been pounding the beach.
Titahi Bay will be one of four NZ crews competing against their Australian counterparts, along with Piha, Mt Maunganui Yellow and Mt Maunganui White.
- NZPA
