Inspiring youth and an already significant storyViolette Dorange and Guirec Soudée are much more than just skippers. They embody a spirit of freedom, determination and self-improvement that resonates deeply with a wider audience, well beyond traditional boating circles. At just 22 years old, Violette Dorange is already a familiar face in the world of boating. sailing, and his participation in the 2024 Vendée Globe marks a decisive step in his career. Originally from the island of Oléron, she has managed to find her way in a world often perceived as difficult to access for young women. Coming from light sailing, she began to make a name for herself at the age of 15, when she became the youngest sailor to cross the Channel solo. After a notable stint in the Figaro sector, where she notably participated in several editions of the Solitaire du Figaro, Violette took a new step by joining the IMOCA circuit. She set off on the Vendée Globe with a previous generation boat, but optimized thanks to a rigorous and scientific approach. In collaboration with specialized engineers, she worked on the energy efficiency of her IMOCA, with an approach focused on reducing its carbon footprint. Her simple presence on the starting line, alongside experienced and much older skippers, sends a powerful message: ambition and courage have no gender or age.
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In contrast to Violette's structured journey, Guirec Soudée represents the figure of the self-taught adventurer. At 31 years old, this Breton has already won over a large audience thanks to his extraordinary world tour aboard his sailboat Yvinec, accompanied by his hen Monique. With humor and simplicity, he recounted his adventures through videos and books that reached thousands of readers. But beneath this offbeat image hides an experienced sailor, accustomed to sailing in the most extreme conditions. From his wintering in the ice of Greenland to his rowing across the Atlantic, Guirec has demonstrated impressive resilience and capacity for adaptation, valuable qualities for facing the South Seas. For his first Vendée Globe, Guirec is left on a previous generation IMOCA, without foils, but with the firm intention of transforming this technical constraint into an asset. “What I seek above all is human adventure and personal challenge,” he explains regularly. His stories imbued with authenticity, which he shares on his social networks and in his videos, attract a large audience, won over by his humility and his philosophy of life. Guirec, by his atypical career and his “everyman” side. world”, proves that the wildest dreams are accessible to those who dare.
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Connected and engaging communicationWhat sets Violette and Guirec apart is not only their talent on the water, but their ability to tell their adventure and bring the general public along in their wake. On social networks, Violette Dorange cultivates a remarkable closeness with her subscribers. As evidenced by her Instagram and Facebook accounts, where she shares moments of life, behind the scenes of her preparation, and educational explanations on the technical challenges of ocean racing. Its authenticity, combined with a mastery of modern communication codes, appeals to a young audience, often far removed from the nautical world. Through her posts and stories, she not only speaks to sailing enthusiasts, but also to those who dream of adventure or ambitious projects, whatever their field. Her sincerity has earned her a loyal community who see her as a source of inspiration.
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Guirec Soudée, for his part, plays on his image as an extraordinary adventurer, alternating stories of extreme expeditions and moments of offbeat humor. His popularity on YouTube, where he shares videos recounting his exploits, and on Instagram, where he recounts the ups and downs of his daily life, makes him a special figure. Where many skippers communicate on pure performance, Guirec favors raw emotion, anecdotes and a simplicity that reaches a wide audience.
The two skippers, in their own way, redefine the relationship between sailors and their audience. They are no longer content to sail for themselves or for their sponsors, but take with them thousands of virtual supporters, making their adventures collective epics.A sporting issue, but also a societal oneViolette Dorange also makes her project a platform to raise awareness of environmental issues. Aware of current ecological challenges, it has worked with its partners on solutions aimed at reducing the impact of its IMOCA on the environment. It is also committed to initiatives aimed at optimizing the use of renewable energies, limiting waste produced on board and promoting more sustainable navigation. This commitment goes hand in hand with a desire to raise awareness among its community. On social networks, Violette not only shares behind the scenes of her sports preparation, but also her thoughts on the preservation of the oceans and the way in which everyone can contribute, at their own level, to a future more respectful of the planet. She uses her notoriety to educate and incite action, thus transforming her race into a meaningful adventure.
The 2024 edition of the Vendée Globe will be a turning point for the race. The skippers, Violette Dorange and Guirec Soudée, do not just sail around the world: they tell a story, that of a youth who dares, who inspires and who shows that surpassing oneself remains a timeless value. Regardless of their ranking, their impact on the public and on the future of ocean racing is already immense. This new generation of skippers, connected, accessible and resolutely human, opens the way to a redefinition of races: sporting competitions, certainly, but also human adventures that touch the heart. Find our weather analysis of the race every day with METEO CONSULT Marine in our special report Vendée Globe.
