NEW ZEALAND’S BILLY STAIRMAND CLAIMS SURFEST WILDCARD

Israel’s Anat Lelior and New Zealand’s Billy Stairmand, have outclassed a host of international rivals to win wildcards into the main events at Surfest.

Stairmand took on two Aussies and a French surfer in the trial final, but he was always in control, doing plenty with the small, clean conditions.

Kalani Ball made a late charge, but couldn’t overtake his Kiwi rival.

The 6000 point qualifying series events start at Merewether tomorrow morning.