David Dellenbaugh, 10 best’s
David Dellenbaugh, former Lightning World Champion and starting helmsman for 1992 America’s Cup defender America3:
The Top 10 Things I Like About The Lightning:
1. There’s Lightning racing almost everywhere.
2. Some of the best sailors in the world sail the Lightning.
3. Lightnings are available from more than one high-quality builder.
4. Lightnings even 20 years old are still competitive.
5. The boat is one of the best crew trainers on the water today.
6. The class is not so strict as to discourage experimentation which makes the boat faster and easier to sail.
7. The Lightning has interested the finest sailmakers in the world so the sails and the tuning guides look great and are easy to use.
8. The Lightning is a very roomy boat for daysailing.
9. Lightning sailors sail hard, but they’re not too cutthroat - someone’s always ready to answer questions.
10. The class management is as good as you’ll find in one-design sailing.