GISBORNE-Mahia surfer Ricardo Christie’s first contest of the year came to an end in messy waves at Newcastle, Australia, yesterday afternoon.
Christie finished third in his three-man Round 4 heat of the Burton Automotive Pro Qualifying Series contest.
It was a solid but frustrating start to his 2018 campaign. Fickleconditions made it difficult and wave selection proved crucial.
Brazilian Alejo Muniz proved the best at that, winning the heat with a two-wave total of 13.84 out of 20. He scored a 7.17 ride early in his heat, then added a 6.67 to head off Australian Davey Cathels on 11.73 (5.50, 6.23). Both advanced to the two-man heats of Round 5.
Christie could manage only 8.00 (4.27, 3.73). He had a chance at the end of the heat but the wave did not come to the party and the disappointment was etched on his face as he knew even before the score went up that it would not be enough.
Christie progressed from Round 3 by placing second in his four-man heat. He scored 11.63 (6.50, 5.13) while Hawaiian Barron Mamiya won with 13.40 (8.17, 5.23). Australian Adam Melling (11.40) was third and Brazilian Alex Ribeiro (10.70) was fourth.
The contest was the first of two consecutive 6000-point QS events and Christie can take some solace in going one round better than he did in 2017.
Competitors next head to Manly Beach, New South Wales, for the 6000-point Vissla Sydney Surf Pro.
