Oliver Heer: First Swiss German at the Vendée Globe - "Switzerland has a big year ahead of it"
Tatjana Pokorny
· 09.11.2023
What was it like working with Alex Thomson?
I was boat captain for his 2020 Vendée Globe campaign and was involved in the construction of his Imoca, completing around 65,000 nautical miles with him. I learnt from him as a mentor that the commercial part is very important for a successful project as well as the technical part.
You live in Port-la-Forêt with your wife Theresa, who manages the team as Operations Director. Are you a member of the famous training group that Boris Herrmann also trains with?
Unfortunately not yet. You have to be invited. I hope I get the chance soon.
Your Imoca is a Farr Yacht design from 2007 ...
... a very solid boat with a lot of potential. We were third fastest non-foiler twice in the Defí Azimut and in the Fastnet.
Your sailing career began as a five-year-old on Lake Zurich in the Opti. And then?
(Laughs) When you start on Lake Zurich, a career as a solo circumnavigator is not the obvious thing. I have sailed dinghies such as 420s, 29ers and 49ers. My international management degree meant I spent a lot of time in Asia, where I got on bigger boats. I later got to know Alex Thomson's brother Dave. I even sailed with him and Boris' co-skipper Will Harris in the Sevenstar Round Britain and won.
You didn't go down the classic Vendée Globe training route?
No, I've never sailed Minis or Figaros. I come more from the technical and management side, which has its advantages. I would say I'm half sailor and half manager.
What is your motivation for the Vendée Globe?
As a child, I watched big races like Whitbread and Jules Verne. My father died unexpectedly early of cardiac arrest. He always wanted to cross the Atlantic, but never made it. I then thought: "You can work in business for 45 years or do a job that really fulfils you."
How safe is your Vendée Globe start?
We are qualified, we are still looking for support, but we are at a point of no return. The Vendée Globe has become better known in Switzerland. Our team has its sights set on several participations. At 35, I'm ten years younger than the average Vendée skipper. We want to finish respectably at the premiere and build on that. I believe that Switzerland has a big year ahead of it with the Olympic sailors, Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the America's Cup and the Vendée Globe. The ultimate goal is to build our own ship for 2028 or 2032.
What is typically Swiss about you?
We may live in Brittany, but Switzerland is my home. I have a small flat in Rapperswil on Lake Zurich, where I spend a third of my time. The focus on detail and a certain industriousness perhaps characterise me. This Swiss work mentality has certainly got us a long way.
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