OUR guys and girls are on top of the ratings but the big question is if they stay there.

It's been a while since Gold and Tweed Coast surfers have lead the world ratings and now Coolangatta's Joel Parkinson and Tweed Heads' Stephanie Gilmore are currently both in the box seat although there's a long hard journey ahead to clinch the respective ASP World Men's and Women's titles.

Firstly, Steph is narrowly leading from a spirited Sally Fitzgibbons fresh from a win at Brazil in the Billabong Rio Pro.

Marginal beach-breaks in less than desirable waves weren't to Gilmore's advantage and let Sally back in with a fighting chance.

Unlike the men's waves that would have suited Steph and a chance to wrap the title but it wasn't meant to be.

Both combatants have two world title events with Gilmore's holding onto to one better place to gain the lead.

About the only thing they share is that both girls are regular foot (left foot forward) and ride DHD surfboards by Kirra's Darren Handley.

Other than that the stats are quite different. Steph is 24, stands 5/10 and weighs 67kgs whereas Sally is 22, stands 5/7 and weighs 57kgs.

Fitzgibbons has yet to post a perfect 10 unlike Gilmore this year but the Gerroa's girl's heat average of 18.84 is better than the Snapper girl's 18.6.

There are two World title events remaining Roxy Pro at Biarritz, France in July and Nike US Open at Huntington Beach, California in August. 

Both these events are in beach-breaks and on paper would suit Sally more than Steph. However, their opponents such as last year's World Champion Carissa Moore, Coco Ho, Courtney Conlogue, Malia Manuel can and will likely decide which path will open up for the eventual winner.

Can Steph win back the crown for a fifth world title or will Sally, who has been a two times runner-up, finally clinch her maiden title? It's a sporting battle of the surfing queens that will go down to the wire.

31-year-old Joel Parkinson is now the latest ASP ratings' leader since placing runner-up to Hawaii's John Florence at the Billabong Rio Pro in Brazil.

It was Parko's first final for the year and his first final in Brazil. Parkinson's consistency has paid off with a fifth, third and now a second to lead the 2012 world title chase from his local mates Mick Fanning (Tweed Heads) in second and Josh Kerr now based in California in third.

Mick conceded to Joel in the semis while for Kersey it's his best world rating yet after reaching the semi's in the last three events.

The Coolangatta trifecta was magnificent in Brazil treating the beach breaks like a fun day at D'bah.

11-times world champion Kelly Slater withdrew from Brazil due to a nasty reef wound on his back heel and has gone from leader to eighth place.

Last year Slater missed J-Bay but still managed to claw his way back and win his 11th world title before the final event in Hawaii.

Fiji and Teahupoo are the next two vital world title events and favour Slater who won numerous times at both locations.  Having said that this year's world title is that much closer with three different winners from the last three events and with seven events to go, Slater will have all the pressure to perform and get back on top.

Parkinson is a four-times runner-up for the world title and has been deprived by injury twice to capture that number one goal.

oel knows that it is a long year ahead and is playing down this early lead. "It's a good feeling I suppose," Parkinson said.

"It's a long way to go and I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but I'm stoked. I've had a couple of really nice consistent results. I have been in this position before though so I'm hoping to maintain my performance level throughout the rest of the year."

Next stop is the Volcom Fiji Pro at Tavarau June 3 to 15 followed by the Billabong Pro, at Teahupoo, Tahiti August 16 to 27.

Latest ASP World ratings as follows:

• 1. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 19700
• 2. Mick Fanning (AUS) 18250
• 3. Josh Kerr (AUS) 18200
• 4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 17200
• 5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 15750
• 6. John John Florence (HAW) 15750
• 7. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15700
• 8. Kelly Slater (USA) 13700