Why Health is the Foundation

In ocean racing, performance is often discussed in terms of boat speed, technology and tactical decisions. But before any of those things can make a difference, the people involved must be ready to perform.

Health is not an added advantage. It is the foundation on which everything else depends.

It is an idea that has underpinned Burgerstein Vitamine’s partnership with Oliver Heer Ocean Racing from the beginning. Burgerstein first supported Ollie when his Vendée Globe campaign existed only as an ambition, before the team, boat and wider project had taken shape.

Tanja Zimmermann-Burgerstein, CEO of Burgerstein Vitamine, was initially struck by the scale of the challenge, but it was the thinking behind the campaign that ultimately inspired the company’s support. 

“Ollie’s ambition resonated with me personally. What convinced me from the start was not just the sporting challenge, but above all his approach: he prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility and understands that sustainable performance is only possible with a strong foundation of good health. As the parallels with Burgerstein’s values became increasingly clear, I knew we wanted to support this journey as a company.” - Tanja Zimmermann-Burgerstein

For Ollie, that principle becomes particularly tangible when preparing to race around the world.

“There are two assets that go around the world. One is the boat and the other is me. It is very obvious that you look after the boat and prepare it in the best possible way, but it is just as important to look after yourself, prepare yourself and be as healthy as possible.” - Ollie

Starting from the strongest possible position

Before a major race, thousands of hours go into preparing the IMOCA. Every system is inspected, serviced and tested. Components are strengthened or replaced, risks are assessed and potential problems are addressed before the boat reaches the start line.

The crew requires the same thoughtful preparation.

An offshore race places sustained demands on the body. Sleep is limited and fragmented, movement is physically taxing and even ordinary tasks must be completed while the boat is travelling at speed. Cold, heat, noise and constant motion all add to the cumulative load.

Once racing begins, recovery opportunities are limited. Ollie therefore sees health as something that must be built and protected well before the start.

“When you hit the start line and begin racing, you are exhausting yourself and your health tends to decline. You have to start at the highest possible level. For me, health is paramount to attacking, or embracing, any challenge. Without it, you are not set up well.”

This does not mean expecting to feel at your best throughout every mile. It means doing the preparation that gives the body and mind the greatest possible capacity to manage what lies ahead.

Physical health is only part of the picture

The risks offshore are not necessarily the same as those faced on land. During a race, exposure to everyday viruses may be relatively low. Exhaustion, cuts, bruises and other injuries caused by moving around a powerful, fast-moving boat present a more immediate concern.

Avoiding them requires judgement as much as strength. Ollie must remain conscious of how he moves, particularly when he is tired, and resist the temptation to rush unnecessarily.

Mental health requires the same awareness.

Fatigue can affect mood, concentration and decision-making. Recognising a change early, and responding to it, is an important part of staying effective. That might mean taking a short nap, listening to music for 15 minutes or simply acknowledging that the body and mind need a pause.

“You have to be very aware of how you are feeling at that moment, show some emotional agility and look after yourself. If your body needs a break, you have to give it the break it deserves.”

Rest is not separate from performance. In the right moment, it is what protects it.

Looking after the individual protects the team

Racing with a crew introduces added complexity. On board an IMOCA, sailors live and work in an exceptionally confined space. They share equipment and everyday items, sleep in close quarters and depend on one another around the clock.

Maintaining good health therefore becomes a collective responsibility. Keeping shared spaces and equipment clean, paying attention to personal hygiene and speaking up when something does not feel right all help protect the wider crew.

“Each athlete on board has a responsibility to keep everything clean and hygienic. If an athlete looks after themselves, they also protect the team. We have to be very conscious, as a team, about maintaining a high standard.”

The same principle applies more broadly across a racing campaign. Strong performance depends on people who can think clearly, communicate well and make sound decisions under pressure. Individual wellbeing supports the resilience of the whole team.

A partnership grounded in shared values

Burgerstein Vitamine’s relationship with Ollie has grown through two campaigns and some of the biggest challenges in ocean racing. Throughout that journey, the partnership has been shaped by shared values: careful preparation, authentic communication, a willingness to embrace risk and a commitment to doing things well.

Burgerstein’s health expertise and nutritional products form part of Ollie’s wider preparation, alongside physical training, rest, nutrition and mental readiness. The emphasis is not on any single intervention, but on taking health seriously and treating it as an essential part of the performance process.

Because whether the challenge is sailing around the world, crossing an ocean with a team or pursuing an ambitious goal on land, the principle remains the same.

Performance may be the objective, but health is where it begins.