On November 10, Violette Dorange took to the sea as part of the 2024 Vendée Globe. And the sailor stood out since, at the age of 23, she is the youngest skipper in this edition. Portrait of a sporty and strategic woman whose future seems more than promising.
Originally from Charente-Maritime, Violette was born in 2001. The sea is a family affair for the Doranges. Like her brother (three times world champion in catamaran) and her sister, the young girl learned about sailing very early and was registered with the Société des Régates Rochelaises. But the call of the waves was not as instinctive as that…
At 6 years old on a sailboat
While young children play in parks and play sports on land, Violette Dorange was, from the age of six, on a small sailboat. “At first I didn't like it too much because it's cold and humid. I was on an Optimist and I thought it wasn't progressing. But little by little, I got a taste for it. When I started competing, I saw that it was going well. And then I went to Argentina to do the sailing world championships, and that's where it clicked. » explained Violette Dorange to Annonces du Bateau three years ago.
At the age of 15, in parallel with a school curriculum in the sports-studies section, she sets off solo for a crossing of the Channel with impressive determination. A year later, she began crossing the Strait of Gibraltar then won, with Camille Orion in 420, the title of French champion in 2016 and 2017. This was followed by a bronze medal at the 2017 European Championship, a medal of silver in 2017 and two bronze medals (2016 and 2018) at the world championships in the girls' category.
At 18, she took part in the Mini Transat. She then became the youngest woman to participate and complete this solo transatlantic race. The sporting sphere applauds him and praises his technical skills and his mental strength.
Subsequently, the engineering school student at Insa in Rennes took part in three editions of the Solitaire du Figaro. She finished at 10th place in 2022. The pace of these competitions is intense and allows the sailor to progress against the best skippers in the world. So many sporting events which encourage the young woman to register for the 2024 Vendée Globe. And ” dream “ for the sportswoman who has been coming true for a few days.
Violette Dorange at the Vendée Globe 2024
But before setting sail, it was time to prepare. Violette Dorange, supported by her mentor Jean Le Cam and supported by her family, was entrusted with the IMOCA DeVenir, also known by the nickname “Hubert”. This boat allowed Michel Desjoyeaux to win the 2008 Vendée Globe and Jean Le Cam to reach 6th and the 4th places a few years later. Violette Dorange brought a humanist vision through her DeVenir project, which supports the Fondation Apprentis d'Auteuil.
Now aged 23, she has been sailing since November 10 to try to obtain the best possible place in this race around the world alone and without assistance. And of course, Violette Dorange is the youngest in the competition.
The TBS brand ambassador shares her adventures on social networks and impresses, in addition to her skills, by his composure, his confidence, his maturity and his positivity. While she gives her news on Instagram, she also reveals behind the scenes of the Vendée Globe.
If she achieves the feat of finishing the race, Violette Dorange should return to earth on March 7, 2025. But regardless of the outcome and her ranking in the 2024 Vendée Globe, the athlete will forever remain a great source of inspiration for young people, advocating beautiful values about surpassing oneself and believing in one's dreams.
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Featured photo: © Instagram Violette Dorange
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