Injured Christie stuns Toledo - knocks out world title contender

OAHU, UNITED STATES: Ricardo Christie of New Zealand has advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2019 Billabong Pipe Masters after beating title contender Filipe Toledo in the Round of 32 at Pipeline in Oahu, United States. Picture by Kelly Cestari/WSL via Getty Images

AN injured Ricardo Christie ended the world title hopes of Brazilian Filipe Toledo in a stunning upset at the Pipe Masters in Hawaii this morning.

Nursing 10 stitches after the fin of his board gashed his leg as he came off a wave yesterday, Christie brushed off that setback with typical Kiwi nonchalance.

The Gisborne-Mahia surfer, competing in the final World Surf League Championship Tour event of the year, was patched up after that incident which came in his seeding heat.

He finished third and last in the heat, which including Toledo, dropping Christie into a three-man elminnation round against Brazilian Yago Dora and Frenchman Jeremy Flores.

Christie, so often pipped at the post, showed his survival qualities to hold out two-time Pipeline Masters champion Flores, who only needed a score of 1.04 in the dying stages.

Christie, however, had priority and used it to deny the Frenchman.

In today's round of 32 heat, Toledo went in as one of four surfers still in with a chance of clinching the world title.

In contrast, Christie is sitting well outside the top 22, who retain their places on the 2020 Championship Tour.

With waves increasing in size, Christie kept patient and delivered a 7.67 out of 10 ride on his third wave. He added a 3.37 score for an 11.04 score.

It put Toledo in chasing mode. He was on 9.84 from waves of 6.17 and 3.67 but commentators seemed assured that he would get his chance despite the clock ticking down.

Once again, Christie used his tactical nous under priority to neutralise his opponent and pull off a memorable win.

It is the first time Christie has made the last 16 in the 11 CT contests this year.

He faces hotshot Australian Jack Freestone in the next round.

In an interview afterwards, Christie said he never thought about being the spoiler for Toledo and did not feel the injury, although he admitted he would probably 'cry' if he knocked it.

On his Facebook page yesterday, Christie wrote 'an eventful first day at the Pipe. Tried a triple kickflip in round 1 but it went terribly wrong and now I have a hole in my leg. Thanks to everyone who helped me out. Grateful to have another chance to ride some waves out there tomorrow.