THE brilliance and experience of a former world champion ended Ricardo Christie's rookie year on the World Surf League Championship Tour in Hawaii today.
Australian and 2012 world title winner Joel Parkinson proved too good for Gisborne-Mahia surfer Christie in their round 2 elimination heat at the Billabong Pipe Mastersat Oahu's famous Banzai Pipeline break.
Parkinson delivered two telling blows - rides of 7.50 and 6.43 for a total of 13.93 - to leave Christie needing a combination of waves to pass him late in their heat.
Christie could manage only 5.43 (3.60, 1.83) and was knocked out of the 11th and final contest on the CT. He finished 25th-equal and pocketed US$9000.
Christie went into the event - the third contest in surfing's famous Triple Crown - sitting 30th on the CT rankings.
Several competitors were still in which a chance of clinching the 2015 CT title. Australian Mick Fanning headed the standings going into this final contest.
