Oliver Heer

Oliver Heer is a professional offshore sailor and the first German-Swiss finisher of the Vendée Globe – the toughest solo round-the-world sailing race in the world. What sets him apart isn’t just his athletic ambition, but a rare consistency in pursuing an extraordinary dream: sailing around the world’s oceans alone, for months at a time, under the most extreme conditions.

The path there was anything but a given. Originally from Rapperswil, he first completed a degree in International Management and gained experience in the corporate sector – a background that continues to give him an analytical, structured approach to risk and decision-making. But his fascination with sailing never let him go, and so he consistently pursued his dream of establishing himself at a world-class level in offshore sailing.

This combination of entrepreneurial thinking and extreme athletic experience makes Heer a distinctive personality: someone who has learned to make clear decisions under enormous pressure and in complete isolation, without losing sight of the bigger picture. This mindset is also reflected in how he uses his platform for sustainability and climate neutrality.

In his talks, Oliver Heer speaks about risk management, resilience, decisiveness, and goal achievement under extreme conditions – experiences that inspire far beyond the world of sport.