Yachting: New super maxi enters Auckland-Tauranga race

With stiff northerlies predicted and a strong fleet, tomorrow's Ultimate Coastal Challenge yacht race between Auckland and Tauranga is likely to be over quickly.

Brand new super maxi Maximus, the largest racing yacht to be built in New Zealand, will make its open-water debut during the race.

At 30m, Maximus owners Bill Buckley and Charles Brown, are confident they have built the fastest and most innovative super maxi in the world and have plans to take it to race in Europe after tomorrow's race.

Designed by Greg Elliot and Clay Oliver, two of the yacht's distinguishing features are its retractable canting keel and revolutionary rotating wing mast, the first of its kind on a maxi yacht.

The boat's name originated from the design brief which stated maximum power to weight ratio

"We pray for maximum speed, maximum impact and maximum success on Maximus," Brown said.

"We are proud Kiwis and we will proudly fly the New Zealand flag on the international super maxi circuit."

The Coastal Challenge, first raced in 1921, starts at Westhaven in Auckland and takes the fleet on a dog-leg course down the east coast of Coromandel between Mercury Islands and finishes off Tauranga Harbour's entrance.

The race record of 9hrs 35mins was set by super maxi Konica Minolta, formerly Zana.

More than 40 yachts have entered, including 72ft mono hull Beecom, multi hull McMoggy and 2004 record breaker, the multi-hulled Sundreamer 111

- NZPA