Billy stairmand – 3rd Oneill Cold Water Classic Santa Cruz

New Zealand surfers Richard Christie (Gisborne/Mahia) and Billy Stairmand (Raglan) have surfed to excellent results on the ASP World Tour with official rankings being released overnight having them ranked 53rd and 66th in the world respectively.

The jump in the rankings for the two surfers comes after yesterdays (Sunday 24th October) completion of the O'Neill Cold Water Classic held at Santa Cruz, California, USA where Billy Stairmand placed third and Christie ninth. Prior to the event the surfers were ranked 62nd and 97th on the rankings.

The Santa Cruz event was a 6-Star Prime on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour. Prime events are a tier down from the top echelon of surfing and the equivalent of a Masters event on the ATP Tennis Tour.

Australian surfer and current world number 18 Matt Wilkinson won the event.

Stairmand was eliminated in the semifinals by young Hawaiian surfer Tonino Benson after incurring an interference at the start of the heat that put him on the back foot from the outset.

"Oh that interference was stupid," said Stairmand. "It was a close-out and I went straight under him. I don't think it should have been called, but that's competitions for you. It (the interference) had me rattled all heat. I was pissed."

Stairmand surfed three heats throughout the day in the frigid energy-zapping waters. "Yeah energy was definitely a key factor. My legs were shaking all day. I had to go to the car and just chill away from everyone. But just before my heats started, I would warm up with the boys and the rugby ball. The rugga ball is so key," added Stairmand.