Raglan surfer Billy Stairmand is through to the final of the national championships open men's division in search of his second national title.
Stairmand, ranked 79th in the world, made easy work of the conditions at Piha yesterday to post a 16.84-point total heat score.
His flair on both hisforehand and backhand showed international quality with an edge that few New Zealand surfers have and he now goes into the final as the favourite.
"I don't see myself as the favourite," said Stairmand. "I will go in to the final confident for sure, but I don't see myself as favourite.
"My boards are good at the moment and I will focus on trying not to be nervous but I know when Saturday comes, the nerves will start to kick in."
Stairmand progressed alongside Matt Hewitt (Mount), who posted the highest single wave score of the day - 8.93 out of 10 for a long lefthander that he punctuated with a tail high backhand air reverse. The wave catapulted him from third into second place ahead of Bobby Hansen (Gisborne).
Unfortunately for Hewitt, he had to fly out to Australia yesterday afternoon to prepare to compete at the World Pro Junior Champs which start tomorrow.
Tim O'Connor kept alive the hopes of Bay of Plenty when he won the second semifinal and in doing so eliminated defending champion Jay Quinn.
O'Connor has looked sharp all week and was no different in the small waves, similar to what he sees at home.
He progressed through to the final alongside Chris Malone, who scored a 6.0-point ride on his last wave to pass Quinn and make yet another national final.
Malone, 35, is an ex-national champion, having won the open men's division 14 years ago in 1998.
For Quinn, it will be a case of having to wait at least another year to pick up his third title.
