Special envoy to Royan
At just 159cm tall and 21 years old, Violette Dorange (Becoming) is following her merry way on this 53rd edition of the Solitaire du Figaro.
Tenth overall before the start of the third and final leg, the young woman has so far impressed her co-religionists on the water with her tenacity and ease.
Forgotten her wanderings during her two previous participations where she moved wrung out at the bottom of the half-empty bathtub of the rankings.
Here she is in the deep end.
With smile.
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While she is Pontilabienne, from the land of the Charente mogette, the youngest of the siblings of three loupiots discovers the Optimist.
His parents, both veterinarians, wanting their children to practice an outdoor activity, brought them on Wednesday and Saturday to the Société des Régates de La Rochelle, 50 km away.
Violette is not enthusiastic, for three years she endured these trips and would have preferred to go dancing or riding a pony.
Come the competitions.
The only girl in the group, the benevolent coaches encourage her more than the boys.
The passion for the soapbox grows.
Then comes the 420 in sport-studies at the Dautet high school in La Rochelle.
There are many trips with her teammate and they participate in the French Championship and the World Youth Championships.
"
I understand at that moment that sailing will play an important role in my life.
This is also where the idea of crossing the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar in an Optimist came to me.
With my father's consent.
My first big projects, my first adventures that broke the codes.
Behind these projects, something was created in terms of communication,
” she explains with a smile.
My father has always been the trigger for setting up my projects to give me confidence.
Orange Violet
Some time later, the open sea called her.
She is 17 years old and wants to be free in the middle of nowhere.
When she joined INSA in Rennes for an engineering course, she started the Mini 6.50 with a view to the Mini Transat 2021: “
One of my friends who was in class with me teased me because I hardly sailed anymore.
Upset, I therefore accelerated things to participate in the 2019 edition. Always with the support of my father.
It has always been the trigger for setting up my projects to give me confidence, without intervening too much in my sporting entourage, which I choose myself.
»
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The first Solitaire du Figaro by Violette Dorange followed two years ago: “
It’s the year of Covid.
I have the boat in February and I arrive loose, not ready.
A year when there were Armel Le Cléac'h and Yann Éliès.
Sailors who took part in the Vendée Globe that I admired.
Registered at the Pôle de Port-la-Forêt, no one spoke to me too much.
I finish 30th, it was not crazy.
Last year I did better, 19th.
This season, I feel like I have the speed.
A real click.
I know I can fight with the lead pack, following the same rhythm when the conditions are difficult.
In warrior mode but still less comfortable than some.
I also understand better what is happening at the strategic level.
»
The Vendée Globe in the lead
Once the Solitaire 2022 is over, Violette Dorange will quickly project herself towards her new adventure.
The idea of taking part in the next Vendée Globe: “
From the end of the Route du Rhum, I'm going to rent Jean Le Cam's boat with which he took part in the last Vendée.
I couldn't find better.
One of the best daggerboard IMOCAs.
Currently in the hands of Éric Bellion, I will be delivering it back from Guadeloupe to Finistère.
The project will then be launched.
For now, my entire base of partners in Figaro will follow me and we have a few leads to find a title partner to ensure the budget.
I have a team that surrounds me well for that.
»
While waiting to find herself alone in the South Seas, Violette Dorange must finish her work on the Solitaire du Figaro 2022. Without pressure and with her share of optimism.
With always the smile and the will of youth.