Nicolas Saillard and Lodovic Jossin are pooling their expertise as engineers and World Cup riders in their LISA project. Find out what makes the products so special and what all this has to do with a deceased dog.
Your LISA brand is all about forks. What distinguishes your forks from those of other brands?
NICOLAS: We were of the opinion that there had been little development in this area for many years. In addition, the current situation made it difficult to guarantee reasonable quality and punctual deliveries with Asian production. We therefore manufacture our T1000 fork tree as a semi-custom product here in Tarifa. We use the highest quality carbon fibre for this, the same that Lodovic also uses for its fins (Ludovic Jossin is the founder and designer of Chopperfins, the ed.). The plastic parts are produced using a 3D printer and the moulds for prototypes also come from the printer. Apart from that, our fork also has some features that are different from what we are used to.
What are they?
LUDOVIC: For example, we use an extremely thin coating that is nevertheless resistant. This is fixed without adhesive, in the style of a shrink tube. This means it can be replaced quickly if necessary - all you need to fit it is a hot air gun and the replacement covering. The adjustment system works without holes for the pins; we work with indentations here, which weakens the structure less. The boom is also equipped with a trimming system, which runs inside. This looks cleaner and there is no annoying tinkling of the rope.
"All parts are produced in Europe. In times like these, that has many advantages"
Ludovic Jossin, co-founder of LISA
Many hobby racers like trim systems for the fork, but are bothered by the mounting of the system. Your Twist Lock Pulley is for this target group. Explain to us how it works.
NICOLAS: Most racers use one boom for different sail sizes. So it made sense to leave the trim system and the screw-on pulley block on the clew completely on the boom and then connect it to the sail in a matter of seconds. With the twist lock pulley, everything always remains threaded, the two halves are simply connected in seconds with a quarter turn in the clew eyelet and that's it.
What does the system consist of?
LUDOVIC: Made of lightweight aluminium and plastic rollers. The pulley is available in the shop for 60 euros.
What does the name LISA actually mean?
LUDOVIC (laughs): My dog - God rest his soul - was called that. I always said that my first own project would bear his name.
Info under www.lisawindsurfing.com
