Swiss-German skipper Oliver Heer is poised to make history in just over a week as he becomes the first Swiss-German sailor to complete the Vendée Globe, widely regarded as the toughest solo, non-stop, unassisted ocean race on the planet.
After nearly three gruelling months at sea, he’s nearing the French coast in a moment that marks a major leap forward for Swiss-German sailing on the world stage.
An Unforgiving Test
Known as “the Everest of the Seas,” the Vendée Globe is less of a race and more of a brutal test of survival. Skippers take on the planet’s toughest waters completely alone—no pit stops, no outside help, just them, their boat, and whatever the ocean throws at them.
It’s a challenge that requires meticulous planning, ironclad mental resilience, and the kind of grit that keeps you going when exhaustion and the elements are conspiring to break you.
Heer set out on this ultimate voyage determined to chart his own path, aiming for speed but never at the expense of catastrophic damage that could force him out of the race.
Although he’s steered clear of unnecessary risks, Ollie still had to weather vicious storms, battle severe fatigue and grapple with serious technical setbacks.
Among the major hurdles he’s faced:
- A canting keel hydraulic failure hampered his performance on port tack.
- The loss of his masthead gennaker, his largest spinnaker, forcing strategic sail changes in light winds.
- Six days stuck in a windhole in the Southern Ocean, costing nearly 1,000 nautical miles and testing his patience.
- A narrow miss with an iceberg, requiring constant vigilance on deck.
- A torn mainsail, which he painstakingly repaired at sea, including a nail-biting climb up the mast.
Racing on a modest budget compared to many of his rivals, Heer has shown remarkable determination, proof that an unwavering spirit can overcome financial constraints.
A Source of National Pride
Growing up by Lake Zurich, Heer began his sailing journey in a humble dinghy before going on to complete a degree in International Business and Communications.
The death of his father in 2014 prompted a life-changing decision to pursue the dream he’d nurtured since childhood. Now, as he edges closer to the North Atlantic and the closing stages of the Vendée Globe, he reflects on the magnitude of his quest:
“Since I was a boy learning to sail on the Lake of Zurich, I’ve dreamed of taking part in the Vendée Globe. To be here today really is a dream come true – and the result of four years of extremely hard work and dedication.
But, I can’t allow myself to think about finishing yet! – I must focus on each day as it comes until I cross the finish line.”
As he stands on the brink of success, his achievement carries significance far beyond personal fulfilment. When he completes the race, Heer will become the first Swiss-German to conquer this legendary course, showing that resilience and drive can take you further than any boundary or budget.
Looking Forward
Spectators, supporters and fellow mariners eagerly await Heer’s arrival in Les Sables d’Olonne. His feat is a beacon of inspiration not just in sailing circles, but for anyone who has ever dreamed of pushing beyond their limits.
Heer sees this as the start of an even bigger adventure. He’s already on the lookout for commercial backing to support a string of forthcoming challenges: the Ocean Race Europe in 2025, the global Ocean Race in 2027 and, ultimately, the next edition of the Vendée Globe in 2028. These aspirations will see him combine both team and solo endeavours on the high seas.
For Switzerland, his imminent triumph is an unprecedented moment in national sport, one that’s certain to fire up a new wave of Swiss-German adventurers.
By setting his sights on global competitions, Oliver Heer is forging a pathway that future sailors will no doubt be eager to follow.