More than 130 people celebrated at Gosford Sailing Club as they watched local hero Tom Slingsby claim sporting redemption with his Olympic gold medal triumph.
"Gold for Gosford, gold for Australia," said Peter Walsh, sailing manager of the club on the NSW Central Coast where five-time world champion Slingsby learnt to sail from the age of seven.
"It's such a euphoric moment. He's our club ambassador."
The big crowd watched the action at Weymouth, England on a big screen late in the night.
Walsh said he was particularly impressed with the way Slingsby recovered from the huge disappointment of the Beijing Olympics, where he finished 22nd in the Laser class after starting as gold medal favourite.
"Tom was disappointed, he's his own worst critic," Mr Walsh said.
"It just shows what a true champion is.
"A champion is someone who can come back and pull it together."
