Second win lifts Carbonelli to top of Australian junior rankings

JAN Juc surfer Estella Carbonelli has continued her strong start to 2026, claiming a second national junior title.

The 13-year-old won the Parko Junior Pro on the Sunshine Coast this month, finishing on top of a field of more than 40 competitors.

Carbonelli moved steadily through the early rounds to reach the under-14 final, where she set the tone early with two solid scores.

Her wave selection proved the difference against fellow finalist Ily Fraser in a final shaped by tricky conditions.

Carbonelli said she was pleased with how the event unfolded.

“I was really happy to get the win there,” she said. “The waves were tricky, but it was great way to start the year.

“The judges were really looking for flow on the wave and connecting back-to-back turns.

“I won every heat before the final and got some great scores. It was a fantastic way to win.”

The result gives Carbonelli two 10,000-point wins to open the season, lifting her to first on the Surfing Australia junior rankings.

She is now preparing for the next events on the calendar, the Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp and the Soundbox Oz Grom Comp in July.

“I am feeling pretty good and confident heading in,” Carbonelli said.

“There were quite a lot of girls competing in the Parko event, so I’m sure there will be many more girls ripping in July.”