Christie pulls out big move when it counts

Ricardo Christie survived a cut-throat heat of the 2019 Championship Tour-opening Gold Coast Pro yesterday. File picture

Surfing

ONE move proved the difference as Ricardo Christie survived a cut-throat heat of the 2019 Championship Tour-opening Gold Coast Pro yesterday.

Christie, battling for survival in a three-man Round 2 heat at Gold Coast, Queensland, placed second to advance.

The Gisborne-Mahia man, who commentators predict will deliver big things in his return to the World Surf League’s top echelon, gave one clear example of his potential.

Sitting third against South African Jordy Smith and Brazilian Caio Ibelli, Christie pulled out the score of the heat.

A massive layback hack from the top of the wave showcased Christie’s power and got the nod of approval from the judges.

They scored it 7.13 out of 10 and it lifted him into second on 12.56 for his two best waves.

Ibelli dropped to third and was unable to produce the 6.64 score he needed to beat Christie.

Ibelli, in third place, was eliminated. Heat winner Smith, on 13.93, and Christie went through.

In a rapid-fire heat, Christie was a lot busier than he was in Round 1. He caught 11 waves, the 7.13 for his ninth wave easily his best.

The second placing put him into a daunting Round 3 duel with Brazilian Italo Ferreira, a three-time CT contest winner in 2018 who ended the year fourth overall.