At 23, Violette Dorange, the blue of the Vendée Globe [Vidéo]

3 The banks of the Fac

On the Atlantic, while she has not yet crossed the finish line of her Mini-Transat, little Violette already has her mind racing, here and there. With this nagging question: what to do next? She is making selections to land a turnkey project with a Figaro 3 and an annual budget. “I came close to having it, I finished second. » Nothing to discourage her, she decides to set up her project with her partners. “To learn to grow, to practice my scales, to be on a difficult circuit, to confront big names. » In short, to progress. What she did for three seasons (10th place in 2022), with a double-handed transatlantic race.

4 In the big leagues

Early on the Mini 6.50 and Figaro circuits, it is written that she will be one of the youngest sailors to set foot in an Imoca, the big leagues. We are in 2020 and the next Vendée Globe takes place four years later. “I asked myself the question of whether I would go there in 2024 or in 2028.” It’s hot to give it a try for 2024 because the budgets are no longer the same at all. He needs to find a boat, a team, sponsors… “My little team believed in me, it was a leap into the unknown but it gave me confidence. » The arrival of Damien Guillou, his boat captain, brings him a huge plus.

5 A mind, a preparer

Despite her 23 years, Violette Dorange has her head on her shoulders. She is barely older than Ellen MacArthur, runner-up in 2001, at the age of 24. Even if the Rochefortaise knows that she will venture without experience into the southern seas, it does not worry her more than that: she says “sleep well at night”. A well-being that can be explained: since she was 8 years old, she has been followed by a mental trainer. Sophrology, visualization, management of emotions, fear and boredom, sleep management, everything goes. “My mental trainer is my second mother, she knows me by heart,” she says. On board, she knows that fear can appear at any time. “Between Lorient and New York, for four hours, I remember being very afraid because the waves were enormous. » The young woman admits to having lots of little tips to overcome her jitters, “it could be videos of my loved ones, gestures to breathe well, to calm myself down”. His biggest fear in this Vendée Globe would be not making it to the end. “I want to come home happy from this world tour, to experience it well. » And why not go back a second time to “try to win it”.

6 A King as a model

For her first world tour, the sailor set her sights on a reference boat, the famous Hubert, owned by Jean Le Cam, fourth in the last Vende Globe with this Imoca with straight fins. “I couldn't dream of a better boat, I love it, it's simple, reliable. Above all, it is very well prepared. » She already has five deckchairs behind her on this boat. “Jean trusted me straight away, he told me to take care of Hubert. He puts pressure on me (laughs). » King Jean, 65 years old, already five participations in the Vendée Globe in his wake, is delighted to see this little girl arrive on the Imoca circuit. “Violet is doing well. She has a good head, she thinks well. She says what she has to say and when she has nothing to say, she keeps quiet. »

Violette Dorange in brief

17 avril 2001

Birth in Rochefort (Charente Maritime)

2016

Crossing the Channel in an Optimist

2017

Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar in an Optimist

2018

3rd in the 420 European Championship with Camille Orion

2019

Mini-Transat (youngest competitor entered)

2019 to 2021

Figaro Solitaire

2023

Debut in Imoca at 22

2024