The supermaxi yacht CQS - formerly known as Nicorette - has been relaunched after a year-long rebuild at Tauranga's Southern Ocean Boats.
The yacht, owned by leading Finnish racing sailor Ludde Ingvall, was launched on the weekend and is now back in Auckland. It was expected to compete in the Round White Island Race starting in Auckland on November 25, and is also expected to sail in the next Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.
Originally 90ft (27.4m), the hull has been stretched to 98ft (29.8m) and fitted with several new features including a reverse bow, an outsized bowsprit, and "wings" to spread the shroud base supporting the mast.
CQS also features Dynamic Stability System foils similar to those used by several of the entries in the current Vendee Globe around the world race. As well as lifting the hull and reducing drag, the foils also produce righting moment for the supermaxi.
Southern Ocean Boats is run by directors and master shipwrights Greg Prescott and Greg McNabb, and has worked on a number of racing yacht projects. Mr McNabb said the yacht contained a number of new and experimental upgrades.