Oliver Heer, our talented Swiss sailor from Zurich, has embarked on the New York Vendée, the last qualifier for the prestigious Vendée Globe solo race around the world, where he will be the first-ever Swiss-German skipper. Having proven his mental and physical strength and incredible willpower by overcoming harrowing difficulties on the previous qualifying leg from Lorient to New York City, Oliver now hopes for a smooth race to Les Sables-d’Olonne.

But it is not only in terms of athletic performance that the Swiss skipper aims to break barriers. Oliver Heer is collaborating with the Swiss Polar Institute and experts from ETH Zurich, the University of Bern, and the University of Lausanne on collecting environmental data during his races. In line with his #RaceForChange vision, he is willing to incur the competitive disadvantage of carrying extra weight during his races, including throughout the Vendée Globe, to help advance our understanding of the oceans. The Swiss skipper personally suggested the innovative research campaign, seeing as the general race itinerary unfolds outside traditional commercial routes. By leveraging the unique opportunity presented by the Vendée Globe race, Oliver’s team will contribute valuable insights into this understudied yet vital region. Furthermore, Heer is committed to achieving a carbon-neutral racing campaign. In collaboration with ClimatePartner, they aim to calculate, reduce, and offset emissions through internationally recognized projects, ensuring a sustainable approach to this monumental endeavor.

Recently, Rosina Colazzo-Franzese, the Lead Communications Officer at the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York, met Oliver in Newport, RI, where he shared his inspiring story and preparation for the race. The encounter was capped by a sailing trip along the coast, and an interview with Swiss TV SRF reporter Denise Langenegger (watch the interview in German here).