XR 41 Claims Victory at MaiOR Regatta in Kiel
tisdag 6th maj 2025
Formula X secures a decisive win, confirming XR 41’s competitive potential on the international stage.
The debut of the XR 41 at the 2025 MaiOR Regatta in Kiel exceeded all expectations, as Formula X, led by skipper Jesper Radich and helmsman Jeppe Borch, clinched overall victory, winning 5 out of 6 races, in a fiercely competitive fleet.
This win, secured even before the final race, is the culmination of years of innovative design and development by X-Yachts, reaffirming the yard’s return to high-performance racing.
”This victory is not only a sporting milestone but also a clear validation that the XR 41’s development is on the right track,” said Kræn B. Nielsen, CEO of X-Yachts.
And he continues: ”In direct comparison, the XR 41 outperformed our previous design, the X-41, which won the European Championship in 2024. This sets a strong benchmark as we continue refining the XR 41.”
Reviving a racing legacy
The XR 41 signals a bold return to X-Yachts’ racing heritage.
”Re-entering the racing scene has been an exciting chapter for us. After this weekend’s success, we are more motivated than ever to continue evolving the XR 41,” added Kræn B. Nielsen.
Elite team drives success
The Formula X crew featured some of the most talented sailors, including Thor Malthe Andersen, Mads Christian Taatø, Gustav Schwennesen, Rasmus Taatø, Mathias Rossing, Lyca Mayer, Gonzalo and Enrico. Onboard was Kræn B. Nielsen himself as well: ”Selecting the right team was critical to bringing the XR 41 to life under optimal conditions. Partnering with Jesper Radich and assembling a Racing Team with top Danish and international talent has been key to this achievement.”
Promising debut and future prospects
Despite it being the XR 41’s first major regatta with this crew, the yacht demonstrated both impressive speed and competitiveness. The German XR 41, which had only few days of training, was bested by an X-41 with a seasoned crew, a reminder that even cutting-edge designs require time to reach peak performance. Nevertheless, the XR 41 Exciter, led by Jens Kupal, secured a commendable 4th place finish.
The atmosphere at X-Yachts is one of excitement and optimism after the weekend’s triumph to which Kræn B. Nielsen adds:
”A heartfelt thank you to EVERYONE at X-Yachts, and of course also to our design partners, who contributed to bringen the XR 41 to the finish line. Together, we’ve created something that resonates throughout the global sailing community and I’m excited to see what future brings.”
What’s next for XR 41
With the Kiel victory setting a strong foundation, the team will now focus on data analysis and fine-tuning in collaboration with North Sails.
The XR 41’s next appearance will be at X-Yachts’ own event, the Gold Cup Festival 2025 – presented by Raymarine, where Formula X will compete in the Race Class. This will be followed by Kiel Week in June 2025.
