XR Racing Team – The team is now assembled

In October, X-Yachts hosted the first Try-Out event with 20 talented sailors to find the perfect team for our X-Yachts XR 41 Racing Team. The event was a great success. Now we have selected a group of talented, hardworking, and ambitious sailors for our XR 41 Racing Team.

Along the process with X-Yachts we have professional sailor Jesper Radich, who draws on his extensive experience in the world of sailing.

Setting the Right Team
There are many considerations when assembling the right team. Jesper Radich explains:
“The process of putting the team together has been incredibly exciting. It’s part of my professional passion to build strong teams and push them to realize their full potential.”

To create a well-rounded team, it’s crucial to include diverse talents – a core principle in selecting the X-Yachts XR 41 Racing Team.

“The team consists of a variety of skills, with a particular focus on a skilled mainsail trimmer – a role that can make a significant difference in optimizing the boat’s speed and trim. Furthermore, effective boat handling and smooth maneuvers are vital for optimal performance. This requires both tactical understanding and physical strength. Which is why it’s essential for our athletes to be strong, agile, and quick,” Radich shares.

 

Key-Roles in the Racing Team
A strong team must possess the skills and expertise to cover all key roles, including trimmers, helmsmen, tacticians, and navigators.

“Our trimmers – mainsail, headsail, and helmsman – are responsible for ensuring the boat sails fast. Additionally, the tactician’s role is critical for making the right decisions during the race. It’s about planning and executing strategic moves, much like a game of chess, where you always have to plan ahead. With this, effective communication and teamwork are essential, so everyone understands and aligns with the strategy,” explains Radich.

Communication and Navigation
The new XR 41 is a modern sailboat equipped with advanced technology and electronics that can be a significant advantage if used correctly.

On the navigator’s role, Radich says: “Another key figure in the team is the navigator. On a modern boat, the navigator must optimize the use of electronics – from monitoring performance data like speed, heel vs targets, assessing current and wind conditions, to analyzing and presenting data to the team during performance debriefs. They must identify areas for improvement and communicate this information to the team. A skilled navigator is a key player in the process of ensuring the constant development of team and performance.”

What Makes a Great Team
Building a great team isn’t just about sailing skills; it’s also about having the right mindset, being able to act individually, and working as a team player.

“The most important thing for me is to have a team ready to fight for each other. We need to push one another – and, even more importantly, support one another. Everyone must be capable of handling setbacks because those who manage challenges and adversity the best are the ones who go the farthest. Any team that aim for top spot will experience setback, but it’s the ones that handles adversity better that will come out strongest, and eventually succeed. That’s why this mindset has been a key consideration during the selection process for our XR 41 Racing Team,” shares Radich.

The Talents on the Team
While we can’t reveal too much just yet, we’re excited to share that the talents for both our A and B teams have been selected.

“I’m very pleased with both our A and B team, as they both are strong and I have great confidence in their abilities. The teams include talents from mainly Denmark, but also Spain, Italy, and Australia,” Radich tells.

It’s essential that both teams are solid and well-equipped with the right skills and strengths, as they need to support one another in case of illness, other commitments, or unforeseen circumstances. Jesper has carefully considered this aspect, ensuring the team can train and sail together as much as possible:

“For me, continuity within the team is a top priority. We’ve ensured that everyone can participate in most of the training sessions and major events. The time spent together as a team and with the boat is crucial for achieving success. This focus creates a strong foundation for our future performance.”

Next Steps in the Process
The first hull arrives at Haderslev in December 2024, and we’re excited to show you more as we count down to the world premiere of X-Yachts’ new XR 41.

For the team, the next step is to hit the water and begin training, and Jesper Radich looks forward to what’s ahead:

“The next step is to get on the water and sail together. We’ll refine the final setup, adjust the boat and our collaboration, and challenge ourselves. Great challenges lie ahead, and we need to be ready to face them. Having sailed with each member of the team before, I feel confident that we’ve assembled the right group.”

Here at X-Yachts, we’re incredibly excited to follow the team’s progress and results, and we look forward to sharing the journey with you. Stay tuned on our social media and website for the latest updates on the XR 41.