Carbonelli closes in on national title

JAN Juc surfer Estella Carbonelli is on course for her first national title after climbing to the top of the Surfing Australia Junior Series rankings.

The 12-year-old leads the standings heading into next month’s Billabong Occy’s Grom Comp and Soundbox Oz Grom Open.

Carbonelli has put together an impressive campaign, winning the Taj Small Fries event in Western Australia in February and the Parko Junior Pro in May.

She holds a lead of almost 5,000 points over fellow local surfer Stevie O’Day in the national rankings heading into the season’s two biggest events.

After spending a month surfing overseas, Carbonelli is eager to put her best form on display at Snapper Rocks and Lennox Head.

“I am looking forward to those events. They probably are the hardest events of the year,” she said.

 

“I went away and surfed heaps. Since I got home, I’ve been surfing a bit, but it’s harder during the week due to the shorter days.”

Carbonelli knows there is still work to do to secure the title after leading the rankings midway through last season before eventually finishing second overall.

“This year I will try to be more consistent and have one or two more good results at the second part of the year,” she said.

“I think the judges are liking my surfing and I have been consistent in heats and competing well.

“If I can do it [win the national title], it will be a great honour especially with so many girls ripping. It will show me that I am on the right path.”