Ludwig Ingvoll has converted a traditional 90-footer into a 100-foot super-maxi

Finnish yachtsman Ludvig «Ludde» Ingvall' s 90-foot Nicorette sailing yacht has undergone a major refit, growing 10 feet and adding «fenders».

This transformation of the boat, which took two line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart race in 2000 and 2004, took over a year to complete. She was renamed CQS after her title sponsor. The construction was sponsored by Sir Michael Hintze.

The super-maxi was shown to the public for the first time this week as the yacht was rolled out of the Southern Ocean Boats shipyard hangar in Tauranga, New Zealand, and is being prepared for sea trials.

Little has changed from the previous CQS classic 90 footer. The shape of the boat's hull has been changed. She now has a bow with a reversed bowstay, a longer bowsprit, and «wings», which increase the area for fixing the staysails.

One of the high-tech features of the new boat is the Dynamic Stabilization System (DSS), which includes a hydrofoil that enhances recovery of the pitching keel.

The combination of hydrofoils and a rocking keel is widely used on IMOCA 60 Class yachts. CQS is considered to be the largest yacht also using this combination.

We hope to see CQS in action at the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race starting on December 26.