With over 60 X-Yachts assembled across eight classes — including the lively ‘Champagne’ (aptly named) division, five relaxed but competitive ‘Family & Friends’ groups, and two intense ‘Race’ classes — the 2025 festival was a showcase not just of sailing prowess but of the evolution of the X-Yachts brand itself. Fleets included a spread of models, from legacy cruisers to high-performance racers, with sailors arriving from across the Nordic region, Europe, and even as far afield as China, the USA and Israel.
One fleet, many faces
There was a moment on Day One, just before the start sequence, when the fleets were seen streaming out of Haderslev Fjord — the ‘Champagne’ class taking a gentler route, ‘Race’ class powering through the breeze with foils humming, and the ‘Family & Friends’ group somewhere in the middle, perfectly capturing the event’s inclusive spirit.
If I was to summarise, like many make-named only boat races, it’s not really about winning. It’s about returning to a place where every boat around you was built with the same DNA.
That DNA — equal parts performance, build quality and Danish design — was on display in the latest models. None more so than the XR41, which had its world premiere just five months earlier. Four of these sleek racers joined the start line this year, including Formula X, helmed by Jesper Radich, which clinched top spot in Race Class A.
With its clean lines, featherweight 7,150 kg displacement and deep 2.4 m draft, the XR41 is designed for precision under pressure. Yet it carries the hallmark balance X-Yachts is known for — high ballast ratios, efficient hull form, and minimalist Scandinavian styling. This is a boat that rewards skill. It’s serious racing gear.
Cruising, elevated
At the other end of the performance spectrum sits the Xc 47, a bluewater cruiser designed with long-haul comfort in mind. The winner of the Champagne class — Nextcloud, skippered by Niels Mache — was a standout in both elegance and presence. At 15.2 metres LOA, with wide volume and solid 14.9-tonne displacement, the Xc 47 is tailored for offshore passages without sacrificing style or control.
Introduced as part of the current cruising line, the Xc 47 shows the brand’s continuing commitment to offering yachts that are as competent under sail as they are at anchor. Its 80 hp diesel, 500-litre fuel tank and over 600 litres of water storage make it a long-range contender — and yet, its helm feel and balance make coastal cruising a joy.
Not far behind was the tried-and-tested Xc 45, which claimed victory in the ‘Family & Friends’ B class aboard Xciting, skippered by Max van Dam. Though it’s no longer in production, the Xc 45 remains a favourite among owner-skippers, with over 120 hulls delivered between 2008 and 2023. It represents the original vision behind the Xcruising range — a boat that could eat ocean miles and still tack neatly inshore. With a robust steel hull girder, deep keel and ergonomic deck layout, it has earned its reputation as a cruiser that doesn’t compromise on performance.
The all-rounder refined
Splitting the difference between cruiser and racer is the X4³ Mark II, a recent evolution in the Pure X series. With a wider transom and soft chines that lift the hull when heeled, the updated X4³ offers increased form stability and reduced wake, along with a noticeably sharper helm feel.
This model saw strong representation in the ‘Family & Friends’ fleet, with skippers praising the new rudder profile — borrowed from X-Yachts’ latest designs — for delivering tighter control under load. At 12.67 m hull length and displacing 9.4 tonnes, the X4³ sits comfortably in the sweet spot for dual-purpose sailing: quick, elegant, and capable of more than it lets on. Whether pushing upwind under a Code Zero or enjoying a relaxed reach past Aarø Island, the MkII version confirms its place in X-Yachts’ modern stable.
Design in transition
Across the board, it’s clear that X-Yachts’ design direction is evolving — not abandoning its roots in performance sailing, but integrating comfort, safety and ease of handling in ever more refined ways. The Gold Cup highlighted this well. From cutting-edge race boats to legacy cruisers, the brand’s core principles were everywhere: refined hull geometry, top-tier components, and a deep respect for sailing as an experience, not just a sport.
CEO Kræn Brinck Nielsen captured this in his opening address, reminding attendees that the event is about more than results — it’s about relationships. “This tradition has grown beyond competition—built on connection, craftsmanship, and the community that surrounds every X-Yacht.”
The yard as home
That sentiment echoed onshore, where the shipyard lawn buzzed with activity. Sailors from 13 nations mingled over cold beers and Danish smørrebrød, while crews from as far as the USA, Great Britain and China swapped tales of offshore crossings and coastal hops. A gala dinner and prizegiving closed the event with music, dancing, and recognition of standout moments — from tactical genius to comic misadventures.
The 2025 X-Yachts Gold Cup Festival was a living snapshot of a brand that continues to marry performance with passion, and innovation with identity.
Learn more at X-Yachts New Zealand
