Oliver Heer Is Setting Course for the Atlantic – and Bossard Is Sailing Along

The Boat and the Crew

Vendée Globe finisher Oliver Heer is making the switch from solo adventurer to team mode for The Ocean Race Atlantic. On board the “Embrace the Challenge” is an experienced international crew that includes Olympic sailor Marie Riou, offshore veteran Liz Wardley, performance analyst Lincoln Dews, and on-board reporter Patrick Condy.

The Race: The Ocean Race Atlantic

The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 is a transatlantic race for the foiling IMOCA class. The 18-meter-long offshore racing yachts are equipped with lateral wings—known as foils—that lift the boat partially out of the water at high speeds. This reduces drag, making the yachts faster and allowing them to almost fly over the waves.

Six world-class teams will compete, including names such as Boris Herrmann (Team Malizia), Francesca Clapcich, and Kojiro Shiraishi—around 30 sailors and reporters from more than ten nations.

What makes this race special is that it’s the first offshore race with consistently mixed crews. The rules require two women and two men on board, plus an on-board reporter and at least two nationalities per team—a strong statement for gender equality in elite sports.

The Route: New York – Lorient

For the first time in the race’s 50-year history, the race will consist of a single leg—with no stopovers. On September 1, 2026, the teams will set sail from New York and head for Europe. The legendary transatlantic route is known for consistently breaking ocean records. The sailors face roughly 3,200 nautical miles across the North Atlantic; due to autumn low-pressure systems and the Azores High, the actual distance will likely be closer to 3,200 to 3,500 miles. The first 48 hours after the start, in particular, are considered a crucial window for getting off to the right start in terms of weather conditions.

The first IMOCAs are expected to arrive in Lorient La Base—the “capital of ocean sailing”—around September 9.

Be There Live!

Follow Oliver Heer and his team up close and keep your fingers crossed for them as our Bossard logo races across the Atlantic. You can find the race organizer’s live ticker here: