“California Girl” hit 92.9 knots on the speedo this Friday on her way up the Washington coast. She was participating in Portland Yacht Club’s annual Oregon Offshore Race when she sunk into a big wave in a 33 knot puff. The bow lifted out of the water along with the triducer, which determines depth, speed, and temperature. The 10 foot geysers of water shooting up at the shrouds and the GPS later confirmed that it was only a paltry 25 knot burst, but it sure felt like we were going 92. (See the burst at 4:50) We were regularly doing sustained surfs of 17-18 knots which sometimes lasted up to 20 seconds. Skipper Timm Lessley and the 2.2 ounce spinnaker (aka the God Kite) show just how bitchin’ these boats still are even after 45 years. The Cal 40 truly was and still is potent in her favorite conditions, as we put the hurt on the newer faster boats and earned a 1st in class and 2nd overall. Equally impressive was the crew and boat’s ability to quickly recover from a broach induced round-down. Once we got the old 1.5 ounce kite stripped away we put up the 2.2 ounce spinnaker and proceeded to put the pedal down the rest of the way up the coast. The boat and crew reached Victoria with a few bumps and bruises, but smiles prevailed. Despite the heavy wind, 4 knock downs, and 1 crash jibe the only casualty was the pole topping lift. Our finish and lack of damage is a real testament to the crew and Bill Lapworth who had the foresight to create an awesome machine that can still kick …