Violette
DORANGE

From a young age, Violette Dorange has been immersed in the world of competitive sailing. After excelling at the highest level in the 420 class, she caught attention with extraordinary challenges: crossing the English Channel in an Optimist at just 15 years old, followed by the Strait of Gibraltar the next year. The young sailor from La Rochelle quickly developed a passion for offshore racing and, in 2018, decided to embark on the Mini Transat adventure. At 18, she became the youngest woman ever to start this legendary race.

Determined to keep progressing, Violette joined the demanding Figaro circuit the following year. For three consecutive seasons, she competed in the Solitaire du Figaro, a true training ground for skippers aspiring to the Vendée Globe. In 2023, she reached a new milestone by acquiring an IMOCA—a Farr-designed boat rich in history, the very one Jean Le Cam had already sailed around the world five times.

Despite a limited budget and relatively little experience on these large machines, Violette quickly made her mark on the IMOCA circuit. Alongside her co-skipper Damien Guillou, she consistently raced at the front of the daggerboard IMOCA fleet, holding her own against seasoned skippers. Racing solo, she further proved her talent in the Retour à La Base, demonstrating that she belongs among offshore racing’s elite.

Competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe, Violette approached the race with a clear ambition: to learn, improve, and make it to the finish. From the start, her genuine personality and young age attracted a fresh audience to ocean racing. But her journey was far from smooth sailing.

At Cape Horn, she faced a crucial decision: extreme weather conditions made the passage too dangerous. Rather than taking reckless risks, she opted for caution and chose to wait. This decision cost her valuable places in the rankings, as her direct competitors sailed ahead. However, undeterred, she pushed on with even greater determination and staged a remarkable comeback.

Throughout the race, she encountered multiple technical setbacks, forcing her to climb to the top of her mast several times. These were moments of intense challenge, where she had to draw on all her physical and mental strength to keep going. Her resilience and dedication earned widespread respect.

Upon arriving in Les Sables-d’Olonne, an immense crowd was there to welcome her. The docks and harbor were packed with supporters celebrating her incredible feat. Violette Dorange was no longer just a promising young sailor—she had become a true offshore racing star. Her authenticity, determination, and inspiring journey resonated with a broad audience, making her one of the standout figures of this Vendée Globe edition.

Building on this experience, she wasted no time in taking on a new challenge. In 2025, Violette joined Sam Davies’ team as a co-skipper, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in her IMOCA career.