Christie’s run at Ballito Pro continues

WAVE-DANCING: Gisborne-Mahia surfer Ricardo Christie, thundering across a wave off the South African coast, strikes a pose that wouldn’t look out of place in Dancing with the Stars, on his way to victory in Heat 5 of Round 3 at the Ballito Pro. Overnight (NZ time), Christie won his Round 5 heat against Hawaii’s Imaikalani deVault to advance to the quarterfinals. Whatever happens, Christie will collect at least 5200 Qualifying Series points and $US7000. WSL/Cestari picture

Gisborne-Mahia surfer Ricardo Christie’s Ballito Pro run continued with a Round 5 win at the World Surf League Qualifying Series 10,000-point contest overnight (NZ time).

The 29-year-old advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory over Hawaiian Imaikalani deVault at the Willard Beach break near Durban, South Africa.

Christie started strongly with a 7.00-point wave in the two-man heat, then added a 6.17 effort for a total of 13.17 out of 20 for his two best waves.

DeVault, whom Christie had beaten in his Round 2 heat, scored 8.84 (3.67, 5.17).

The win put the 2015 Championship Tour (CT) competitor into a quarterfinal against Australian Jack Freestone, who was second to Christie in a Round 4 match-up.

Freestone scored 14.37 to easily knock out Brazilian and CT competitor Jesse Mendes.

Whatever happens from here, Christie will bank significant points. A QS surfer’s five best scores over the year make up his total and this is the fifth QS contest for Christie in the 2018 competition.

Christie went into the Ballito Pro 59th on the QS rankings on 3335 points. He will collect at least 5200 points (the points for the losing quarterfinalist), which will rocket him up the rankings, and will take home at least $US7000.

The winner of what is one of five QS 10,000-point contests on the calendar, will pocket $US40,000 and 8000 points.