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SLINGSBY had his sea bag 'lined with gold' when he sailed onto the course with a three point leading margin to win an arm wrestle over the more experienced Brendan CASEY (AUS) to claim the Ronstan class trophy. But unfortunately the claim for gold became tarnished when the younger SLINGSBY infringed the overtaking rule when both he and CASEY raced nip n tuck at the head of the fleet as they prepared to weather the windward mark.

A crucial error of judgment and the human related error in electing to ignore a call of protest changed the whole complexion of the Championship in the final heat when both the SLINGSBY and the CASEY helmed Lasers 'kissed' each others topsides on the approach to the mark.

This incident became a turning point in the series when CASEY who applied his right to the overtaking rule totally understood he had established his position by the rule book.

However SLINGSBY held a different opinion and unfortunately for him the protest failed to go beyond the arbitration hearing resulting with a disqualification which gave CASEY the 2005 Ronstan Sail Brisbane Trophy after both he and SLINGSBY shared the honours in the final two heats.

CASEY would have preferred to have won the title on the course but SLINGSBY, who was a slightly superior sailor in terms of boat speed, allowed CASEY a small opportunity which was skillfully exploited with superior one design sailing tactics to win the prestigious trophy.

Matthew BELCHER and Nick Behrens (AUS) predictably won gold in the 470, while 16 year old Noosa River Yacht and Rowing club skipper Klade HAUSCHILDT (AUS) scored a brilliant win in the Laser 4.7 class title.

HAUSCHILDT and his Sunshine Coast club mate Ryan PALK (AUS), 17, who medaled in the Laser Radial against a very strong fleet including former Olympic and World Champions, have proved with these outstanding results that they are race prepared for racing in the Australian open class championships on Waterloo Bay in late December.