X-Yachts XR 41 first look: A return to racing yachts

The XR41 marks X-Yachts return to the racing sector, which was historically a strong market for the Danish yard

Fourteen of X-Yachts’ first all-new racer for more than a decade, the XR 41, have been sold off-plan, all but one to established and successful teams. Five boats are entered in this year’s ORC World Championship, while a well-known two-handed Dutch crew will compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

The designers worked hard to determine exactly where gains or losses relative to the rating could be identified...