Little can be seen from the first drawings. In fact, the construction phase is only just beginning in these weeks. However, the aim is clear and unambiguous: "Our top priority is to build a winning boat," Nielsen told YACHT.
With the first model in the new Xr series, which will probably be followed by a second, most likely smaller one, X-Yachts is continuing the history of the Haderslev shipyard. The early X-79 and X-99 were already successful regatta yachts; later came very fast one-tonne boats, the IMX series in the 90s and noughties and finally the X-35 and X-41, the Danes' youngest racer-cruisers to date.
Recently, however, little has been heard or seen in the segment that once characterised the success and reputation of the Scandinavian boat builders. The reason for this was the reorganisation of the brand, which was accompanied by an economic turnaround.
Several regatta sailors migrated from X-Yachts
Under the leadership of Kræn B. Nielsen and with Ib Kunøe as a partner, the shipyard, which had been operating close to the waterline financially for some time, found its way back onto the road to success, which was partly due to the good demand for the yachts of the so-called Xpure line (X 4.0 to 5.6), which were more orientated towards fast cruising. This went hand in hand with the thinning out of the sporty Xp series.
This created space and, to a certain extent, a need in the portfolio to demonstrate its own capabilities again - which was emphasised by the guest appearance at the ORC World Championship. Enquiries from committed dealers and owners also prompted the management team to take action. A number of them have since moved on to other brands, including such a loyal and enthusiastic, yet demanding X-Yachts supporter as Marc Lichte. The head of design at Audi is currently sailing a new build from J-Boats, but is still emotionally attached to the Danes and is said to have contributed to the fact that X is now developing a racer/cruiser again.
The positioning and structure chosen by the Danes is interesting. The 42 to 44-foot boat is deliberately not intended to be a one-design, unlike the new ClubSwan 43, which will debut next year. "We want to be able to continuously develop the Xr further," said CEO Nielsen.
New Xr series should be able to win its class at the ORC Worlds
To this end, he is building up a network of experts to support and drive this development. These include North Sails, for example, but also Max Gurgel as a clever expert in rating and performance optimisation. The Danes are already in talks with other high-calibre names on the regatta scene. They want to attack with two teams that are supported by the shipyard: one in Northern Europe and one in the Mediterranean, which has so far been the domain of Grand Soleil and Italia Yachts.
Despite its focus on success, the Xr series will not be an uncompromising racer, but a "dual-purpose design", as the shipyard boss emphasises. Plug-in modules are planned for the interior, which can be quickly removed when sailing around the tonnes. This improves marketability after several years of racing, says Nielsen.
In one respect, however, the claim remains unshakeable: Success. "The new Xr should be able to win its class at the ORC Worlds," he says. So it will be interesting to see.
