Oliver
HEER

Originally from Zurich (Switzerland), Olivier has been passionate about ocean racing, and more specifically the Vendée Globe, since he was very young. He has dedicated his entire career to competitive sailing, both as a skipper and as a key supporter of ocean racing campaigns.

In 2018, he joined Alex Thomson’s HUGO BOSS team as boat captain, having started out as a junior crew member at Alex Thomson Racing. After more than 40,000 miles sailed together, the British skipper encouraged him to launch his own project.

In 2022, he acquired Romain Attanasio’s former IMOCA PURE - Best Western, a Farr design originally launched as Gitana 80. Despite a collision just minutes after the start, he finished 32nd in the Route du Rhum, the first step in his qualification. In 2023, rigging damage forced him to retire from the Transat Jacques Vabre the day after the start.

In November 2024, he set off on his first Vendée Globe aboard Tut gut, with Burgerstein Vitamine as title partner. Despite several technical issues, including the loss of his large gennaker, he finished 29th. A year later, he announced a new Vendée Globe campaign, this time aboard Teamwork - Team SNEF.

In 2026, Oliver Heer takes the helm of the former Charal team IMOCA, under the Embrace the Challenge colours, with the goal of competing in the next Vendée Globe.