THE SWISS SKIPPER
Oliver Heer is the first Swiss-German sailor to successfully complete the Vendée Globe.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Ollie was taught to sail by his father on the Lake of Zurich where he grew up. Initially, Ollie pursued a traditional corporate path, completing a business degree in Taiwan. But the loss of his father, aged just 52, prompted Ollie to follow his passion and and pursue a career in professional sailing.
FOLLOWING A PASSION
Age 26, Ollie moved to the South Coast, UK, to complete his professional sailing qualifications. He quickly progressed from skippering local regattas to leading larger and more elite programmes, joining Alex Thomson Racing as boat captain on HUGO BOSS in 2018. After gaining IMOCA experience as co-skipper with Alex in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race, Ollie decided to launch his own Vendée Globe campaign.
PURSUING A DREAM
Just 3 years later, he had acquired a boat, built a team and qualified for the 2024 Vendée Globe. In February 2025, Ollie became the first Swiss-German to successfully complete this round the world race after 99 days alone at sea. The first campaign proved what as possible.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Now, Oliver Heer Ocean Racing are shifting gear, from adventure to performance with a bigger, better, stronger and faster campaign focused on delivering a competitive performance in the 2028 Vendée Globe.
1st
Swiss-German skipper to take part in the Vendée Globe
Completed
The Vendée Globe
One
Circumnavigation completed
20+
Years of international sailing
150,000+
Nautical miles sailed
Degree
BSc International Business & Communications