Eager and dynamic, Violette Dorange, a sailor from La Rochelle, has been sailing since she was a child and has taken every step to achieve her dream of competing in the Vendée Globe: French dinghy sailing team, crossing the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar in an Optimist, solo Atlantic crossing in a Mini 6.50 and three editions of the Solitaire du Figaro, a true stepping stone to the Vendée Globe. In 2022, she finished 10th in the overall ranking of the Solitaire, a result that reinforced her desire to go even further and push the horizon to sail around the world.
At just 22 years old, Violette embarked on her own Vendée Globe project. She acquired Jean Le Cam's IMOCA (a great sailor who has participated in five Vendée Globes), renamed DeVenir, which was launched on 7 August 2023. With this boat, she is charting her own course towards a solo round-the-world voyage.
Beyond the sporting challenge, Violette gives her adventure a social dimension. As patron of the Apprentis d'Auteuil Foundation, she is committed to bringing a message of hope to young people in difficulty and promoting their integration and training.
In 2025, a new chapter begins for her: Violette joins the project of her dreams, Initiatives-Cœur, becoming co-skipper alongside her idol, Samantha Davies. Together, they have already competed in the Race of the Capes and the Rolex Fastnet Race, a promising duo that combines a passion for racing, solidarity and the energy of two generations.
2026 : Vendée Arctique - Les Sables d'Olonne - 3rd
2025 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 4th
2024-2025 : Vendée Globe - 25th
2024 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 13th
2023 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 21th
Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 13th
Other highlights
2022: Sardinha Cup - 4th double-handed with Julien Pulvé
2021: Transat en Double Figaro - 9th with Alan Roberts
2020: Solitaire du Figaro - 30th
2019: Mini Transat - 16th
2018: Young Open 420 World Championships - 3rd
2017: Open 420 Youth World Championships - 2nd
French Open 420 Championship - Winner
2016: Open 420 World Youth Championships - 3rd
French Open 420 Championship - Winner