Vendée Globe graduate Oliver Heer has made his philosophy the name of the Imoca that will carry him around the world for his second participation in the Imoca Solo: "Embrace The Challenge" in the team of the German-Swiss "stands for performance that begins long before the starting line - with the right attitude, stamina and the willingness to embrace uncertainty". This was announced by the Oliver Heer Ocean Racing team on 7 May.
"Embrace The Challenge": second Vendée Globe campaign launched
This means that the Swiss and his team officially launched its second campaign after the Vendée Globe premiere in 2024/2025. The XXL challenges of the first summit attempt are to be followed by the second round. "The concept was born out of the challenging journey that led Heer and his team to the 2024 Vendée Globe, where overcoming setbacks, adapting under pressure and focusing on what could be controlled were crucial to the success of the campaign."
Oliver Heer reached the finish line in 29th place on his first solo trip around the world. The main thing that stuck in many people's minds was the combative performance of the Swiss rider, who will be 40 years old in the Vendée Globe start year of 2028. "When we looked back at our previous campaign, it became clear that people strongly associated me with a positive attitude," says Heer. "It's a very authentic reflection of who I am."
Even in difficult moments, I always look for opportunities where others might only see adversity." Oliver Heer
According to Heer, the new name for his Imoca "came naturally to the team". In his view, "Embrace The Challenge" perfectly describes ocean sailing, but is also "a philosophy for everyday life". The boat was designed by VPLP and built in 2018 at CDK Technologie in Port-la-Forêt for Team Charal and Jérémie Beyou. Most recently Justine Mettraux steered it to eighth place in the Vendée Globe 2024/2025 under the name "TeamWork - Team Snef" as the most successful skipper.
Oliver Heer's homage to highs and lows
Oliver Heer is now showing the foiler in new colours: The striking paintwork of the "Embrace the Challenge" is inspired by isobars, which depict high and low pressure areas on weather maps that determine the conditions on the world's oceans. "In ocean sailing, the weather determines everything: strategy, speed, positioning and survival. For sailors traversing the Southern Ocean, understanding pressure systems often makes the difference between success and failure," explained the optical design development team for the Imoca.
"The design comes from a weather system in the Southern Ocean," says Heer. He is convinced: "For sailors, there is nothing more important than the weather. The lines represent pressure systems, but it's not just about reading isobars - it's about understanding pressure and dealing with pressure."
I think it's a very cool design." Oliver Heer
He and the other teams still have 117 days until the start of The Ocean Race Atlantic on 1 September in New York. The Transat for four-person Imoca teams will take the fleet of six teams registered so far across the pond to France's sailing cradle Lorient. For Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia it marks the first major regatta test with the then almost brand new "Malizia 4".
The first test: The Ocean Race Atlantic
Also on the entry list for The Ocean Race Atlantic are Frankie Clapcich's Team 11th Hour Racing with Will Harris as co-skipper, the Paul Meilhat Sailing Team and the DMG Mori Sailing Team with skipper Kojiro Shiraishi, who has brought prominent and powerful support on board in the form of Sam Davies and Nico Lunven. Conrad Colman's Team MSIG Europe will be heading for The Ocean Race Atlantic, as will Team Oliver Heer Ocean Racing.
After Heer's highly competitive first Vendée Globe cycle, performance on the water is to take centre stage on the course for the second participation. In the coming months, the commissioning of the Imoca, tests and a structured handover programme with former skipper Justine Mettraux are on the agenda. Heer wants to "realise the boat's potential as quickly as possible".
My focus is now exclusively on sailing." Oliver Heer.
"We have to get to know the boat and build up our self-confidence so that we can put in a strong performance," says Oliver Heer, setting the motto for himself and his team. The Swiss is starting the Ocean Race Atlantic with an experienced international team. At his side is the French Olympic sailor and Nacra 17 world champion Marie Riou, one of the first three Ocean Race winners from 2017/2018.
On course for the Vendée Globe: the new chapter has begun
In addition, four-time Ocean Race participant Liz Wardley and Lincoln Dews will join the team as performance analysts. The boat name "Embrace the Challenge" is intended to set a new direction for the Swiss team. According to a team statement: "After years of sacrifice, setbacks, relentless qualifying miles and a remarkable Vendée Globe journey, a new chapter begins."
At the same time "Embrace The Challenge" for Oliver Heer is much more than "just" the start of the new Imoca campaign: "It is the continuation of a dream based on perseverance, conviction and the refusal to stand still." The boat is already in the water, the countdown is on. As the next adventure begins, the team let out a new version of its familiar battle cry: "Heer we go - again!"
The Ocean Race Atlantic, which kicks off on 1 September:
An emotional review of Oliver Heer's Vendée Globe premiere:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
