The Ocean Race Atlantic – Meet The Team

Apr 23
3 min read

A new chapter starts now.

From solo in the Vendée Globe… to high-performance team racing across the Atlantic.

On 1st September, Oliver Heer Ocean Racing lines up for The Ocean Race Atlantic — our first race of the season. Departing from the bustling metropolis of New York to the home of offshore racing, Lorient, France.

From Solo to Team

Just over a year ago, Oliver Heer completed the Vendée Globe, becoming the first Swiss-German skipper to finish the solo circumnavigation.

Now, everything changes.

The focus shifts from solo endurance to collective performance — from managing one boat alone, to leading a team in one of offshore racing’s most demanding formats.

At the centre of this transition is our new boat, the recently refitted foiling IMOCA, Embrace The Challenge — formerly Teamwork.

A Race That Redefines the Game

The Ocean Race Atlantic is more than just a transatlantic crossing.

· The first point-to-point race under The Ocean Race banner

· A fully crewed IMOCA format (4 crew + On Board Reporter)

· And for the first time, mandatory gender-balanced teams

Success here isn’t just about boat speed, it’s about cohesion, trust, and execution under pressure.

Meet The Team

Built for this challenge, the crew combines experience, intelligence, and resilience, each person bringing a distinct edge to the campaign.

Crewed racing demands something else entirely — precision, trust, rapid decision making. It’s no longer about surviving alone. It’s about performing together.

Pursuing the same ambition, but a completely different game.

🇨🇭 Oliver Heer

The Skipper

Vendée Globe finisher.

First Swiss-German sailor to complete the solo circumnavigation.

From racing alone around the planet to leading a fully crewed IMOCA team, Ollie sits at the centre of this new chapter. With a background in building and skippering offshore teams worldwide, he combines resilience, instinct, and leadership under pressure.

Now, the focus shifts: from solo survival to collective performance — and delivering results as a team.

🇦🇺 Lincoln Dews

The Analyst Athlete

World-class sailor.

Three-time world champion paddleboarder.

Background in physics and data science.

Lincoln brings a rare edge: the ability to feel the boat — and decode it.

After racing The Ocean Race Europe 2025 with Team Canada Ocean Racing, he joins OHOR as both sailor and performance analyst, helping turn data into speed.

🇫🇷 Marie Riou

The Champion

Olympic sailor.

Nacra 17 world champion.

The Ocean Race winner (2017–18, Dongfeng Race Team).

Marie knows what it takes to win and she already knows the boat, having sailed extensively with Justine Mettraux.

She brings boat knowledge, critical insight, experience, and composure under pressure.

🇬🇧 Liz Wardley

The Powerhouse

Four-time competitor in The Ocean Race, Winner in 2023.

Solo transatlantic rowing record holder (2024).

Few sailors understand endurance like Liz.

She brings relentless toughness, deep offshore experience, and a mindset built for the extreme.

🎥 Paddy Condy

On Board Reporter

Over 15,000 nautical miles behind the lens.

Paddy doesn’t just document the race — he brings people into it, capturing the reality of life onboard as it unfolds, raw and unfiltered.

“We’ve put together a very strong team for The Ocean Race Atlantic, with a solid amount of experience on board. It’s a new challenge for all of us, our first race on “Embrace The Challenge”, and our first time racing fully crewed together. This race is an important step for the team, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.” - Ollie