The heat is on

Richardo Christie. Picture courtesy of WSL

GISBORNE/MAHIA pro surfer Ricardo Christie made a strong start to his first big competition of the year yesterday, advancing from his first heat of the Maitland and Port Stephens Pro at Merewether Beach in Newcastle, Australia.

Gold Coast-based Christie came a close second in his round 2 heat. He posted 13.77 for his two best waves, including a heat-high single wave score of 7.60.

Vasco Ribeiro of Portugal won the heat with 14.07. The top two advance. Japan’s Takumi Nakamura was third with 11.20 and Championship Tour surfer Stuart Kennedy (Australia) was fourth on 9.70.

Surfers from all around the world battled it out in slightly wind-affected waist-high (two foot) waves in the first 6000-point-rated event of the 2017 World Surf League Qualifying Series (QS).

Christie will surf in heat 4 of round 3 against Michael Rodrigues (Brazil), Jesse Mendes (Brazil) and Shun Murakami (Japan).

The competition is set to resume today with the first heat of round 4 started at 9.30am (New Zealand time). Fellow Kiwi QS surfer Billy Stairmand of Raglan was knocked out of the competition. He placed fourth in his round 2 heat.