GISBORNE professional Ricardo Christie has quickly shifted focus to his next contest after making an early exit from a Qualifying Series 6000 event in Japan yesterday.
Gold Coast-based Christie finished fourth and last in his round 3 heat at the Ichinomiya Chiba Open at Shida Point.
Christie struggled to getgood-scoring waves in the one-to-two-foot conditions and finished on a total of 9.54 (5.57, 3.97) out of 20 for his two best waves.
Spaniard Vicente Romero won with 13.56, from Australians Nathan Hedge (12.53) and Jacob Willcox (11.46).
“Unfortunately I didn’t get what I came for in terms of points . . . but I gave it everything and I’m a little bummed the waves didn’t come to me this time,” Christie said on Facebook.
Fellow Kiwi QS competitor Billy Stairmand won his heat with 10.33 to move into round 4. Christie’s next contest is the Ballito Pro QS 10,000 in South Africa at the end of next month.
