X-Yachts XR: A Racing Rebirth Fueled by Artificial Intelligence

Marking a significant return to their racing roots, X-Yachts has unveiled the XR, a meticulously designed 41-foot (12.74m) yacht boasting an approach driven by artificial intelligence. This ambitious project signifies a new chapter for the Danish shipyard, following a nearly two-decade hiatus since their last dedicated race boat, the X-41, launched in 2007. The XR’s development showcases X-Yachts’ commitment to cutting-edge technology. Their 12-person in-house design and engineering team spearheaded the project, collaborating with renowned professionals like Bouwe Bekking (ocean racer) and Jesper Radich (match racer). Additionally, technical expertise was provided by North Sails and Pure Design & Engineering. A defining aspect of the XR’s design lies in its AI-powered hull optimization. The team utilized an innovative method to create a staggering 10,000 virtual model variants of the hull. This approach stands in stark contrast to previous projects, such as the IMX-40 (2000), which only considered 20 variants. With the help of AI, X-Yachts meticulously evaluated numerous possibilities, ultimately selecting several promising families of hull shapes for further analysis. Beyond technological advancements, the XR is designed to be a top contender in the ORCi Class B category. With the 2025 ORC World Championships in Estonia as a target, the development process was optimized...