The Lightning has been re-worked for the 2006 to
incorporate Tushingham’s new Airframe concept,
intended to lock stability into the sail whilst using
the least material and reinforcement necessary,
thereby reducing its overall physical weight.
Available in seven sizes, from 6.0m to 10.3m, it is
designed to combine high-end performance with
early planing and easy rigging, giving it a wide
wind range and a very user-friendly nature.
Including seven battens and two large roller
cams, the second batten down from the head
has been extended fractionally, making the leech
profile a little bulbous in the head. The build
quality of the Lightning is excellent, with all the
latest detailing in place, whilst the layout of the
battens alternates from side to side as you
advance up the sail, intended to make its profile
symmetrical on both tacks.
Rigging and Set
Proving straightforward to rig, the cams of the
Lightning remain on the mast once it is sheathed
up the luff tube, enabling the downhaul to be
applied smoothly. There is loads of progressive
twist along the length of the sail’s leech, giving it
masses of tuning range, whilst the moderate
profile impressively keeps its depth and remains
locked in place irrespective of the tension applied.
Ride and Handling
Light and balanced in the hands at rest, the
Lightning’s centre of effort is low but relatively far
back in the draft, offering a good deal of useable
feedback in marginal conditions. Sensing the
slightest increase in wind, the sail delivers a smooth
surge of power through both hands, enabling the
rider to put it to great effect through pumping to unstick
the board from the water in no time. Once
planing, the Lightning is keen to settle into a
comfortable locked in stance whilst accelerating to
an impressive speed. There is a large amount of
area underneath the boom, helping to keep the
mast upright as the sail is raked back, driving the
board forwards at all times. With an excellent range
on one setting, the Lightning handles variable wind
conditions superbly, cruising efficiently through lulls
and pushing more power into the board through the
gusts to help pin it down. In overpowering
environments, the sail can be retuned with more
tension to open the leech up further and increase
the amount of twist, exhausting power well, although
we did experience significant leech flutter in the top
two panels. Using the 8.5m in transition, it provides
plenty of power to drive into the turn confidently,
remaining composed and dependable in the hands
and allowing the rider to reposition it easily before
the cams rotate smoothly onto the new tack.
For: Wind range, easy handling, all-round
performance and user range.
Against: Tack fairing could be extended to cover
the UJ.
