2025 ORC World Championship Won by X-Yachts XR 41
Sailing into History: How X-Yachts Engineered a World Champion Sailing Yacht in 18 Months
X-Yachts’ XR 41 Formula X, skippered by Jesper Radich, secured the 2025 ORC World Championship in Class B even before the final regatta, in Talinn, Estonia. This marks a significant return to world championship status for X-Yachts. The XR 41’s success was comprehensive, with fellow XR 41s DIXI 5 (helmed by Erik Stannow) and EXCITER (helmed by Jens Kuphal) also placing second and fourth, respectively, in a fleet of 22 yachts.
From Vision to Victory: The 18-Month Journey of the XR 41
This victory is particularly impressive given the yacht’s 18-month development journey from concept to world champion. X-Yachts embarked on an ambitious mission to design and build a yacht capable of winning the ORC World Championship. And they succeeded by meticulously crafting every aspect of the XR 41 through extensive computer modeling, tank testing, and structural analysis. The production team used advanced composite materials and precision manufacturing to bring the design to life. The XR 41 demonstrated its capabilities by winning five consecutive regattas leading up to the World Championship, silencing skeptics and proving its performance.
At the 2025 ORC World Championship in Tallinn, the XR 41’s dominance was clear. Formula X consistently performed, while DIXI 5 took second and EXCITER fourth, confirming the design of the boat had a lot to do with the winning. Notably, in the crucial 195-nautical-mile coastal race, X-Yachts secured the top three positions, establishing an insurmountable lead. Overall, seven X-Yachts finished in the top 12, showcasing the enduring quality of designs like the X41.
The XR 41’s superior performance is attributed to meticulous engineering and innovative design. Its versatility across varying wind conditions (5 to 20 knots) and ability to excel on all points of sail (upwind beats, high-speed reaches, downwind runs) set it apart. The hull design offers exceptional form stability without sacrificing speed. Having three XR 41’s in the top 5 underscores the yacht’s unique performance advantages, validating the ambitious 18-month development program.
The Legacy of X-Yachts in Competitive Sailing
This triumph adds to X-Yachts’ rich legacy in competitive sailing, reinforcing its position at the forefront of performance cruiser design. Since 1979, X-Yachts has consistently produced race-winning designs. The XR 41’s victory, alongside the strong showing of older models like the X41, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to excellence.
The World Championship victory is also a testament to the dedicated X-Yachts team;
- development team pushing hydrodynamic boundaries
- construction team and their meticulous attention to detail
- seamless collaboration between designers, builders, and sailors
In short, it was a collective effort that made this huge success possible.
A documentary series is underway, capturing the team’s journey to victory, offering insights into race preparations, strategic discussions, and engineering brilliance. The series will premiere later this year on X-Yachts’ official channels.
What’s Next for X-Yachts
Looking ahead, the XR 41 will be displayed at the Cannes Boatshow, learn more in our news announcing Cannes, as announced in our previous news. Nautika Centar Nava, the official X-Yachts representative in Croatia, invites enthusiasts to view the XR 41 from 9 – 14 September, 2025. Our expert sales team will be happy to show you around and discuss options (full racing mode or a sporty sailing yacht with excellent capabilities).
As for the winning team, they are planning to participate in more high-profile regattas. Certainly, insights from its championship performance will influence future X-Yachts designs.
Is the XR 41 the Perfect Sailing/Racing Yacht for You?
Check out our full walk-through video from the boot World Premiere with Torben Kornum:
