Local duo chase ranking points after setback

Stevie O'Day is in fourth place in the under-14 girls division. Photo: Jacques Kelly/Surfing Victoria.

Torquay’s Estella Carbonelli and Stevie O’Day will be chasing valuable national ranking points at the Soundbox Oz Grom Open this weekend as the race for the under-14 girls title heats up.

Carbonelli leads the under-14 girls standings, while O’Day sits fourth, with both capable of strengthening their title chances this weekend in Lennox Head.

Both surfers had tough losses at the Occy Grom Comp at Snapper Rocks last week and are looking to bounce back in a big way.

Carbonelli’s lead has been cut to 2,000 points after surrendering her sizeable advantage over the field.

Estella Carbonelli is looking to extend her lead on the Surfing Australia Junior Rankings at Lennox Head. Photo: Noah Clifford/Surfing VIctoria

She enjoyed a thumping win in her first heat of the Occy Grom Comp, posting a 17-point heat total out of a possible 20, before bowing out in round 2.

O’Day trails the top ranking by 4,000 points.

She lost her first heat last weekend and will be looking to atone for an uncharacteristic defeat.

She said she looked forward to the challenge of competing against the country’s best.

“I’m feeling pretty good about the event and am hoping I can get a good result,” she said.

“I had a shocker at the Occy event, so I am looking forward to surfing some bigger waves at Lennox Head.

“It’s always good to win or do well, but I am honestly just happy to be amongst it and giving it a go.”

The pair will return to Victoria for national ranking events at Bells Beach and Phillip Island in September and October, where they hope to secure a maiden national title on home soil.