LES-SABLES-D’OLONNE, France — The atmosphere during the celebrations that marked Violette Dorange’s completion of her solo circumnavigation was akin to that of a victory in the prestigious Vendee Globe race.
On Sunday, crowds in the tens of thousands gathered in Les Sables d’Olonne to receive Dorange, who at just 23 years old, set a record as the youngest sailor to ever complete the non-stop round-the-world race.
Dorange spent a grueling 90 days at sea, which is nearly a month longer than the record-setting performance of her fellow French sailor, Charlie Dalin, who completed the race in under 65 days.
The joyous reception that greeted Dorange upon her return to this Atlantic port was undeniable, showcasing the immense popularity she gained through her journey.
“I am still in shock, stunned by the size of the crowd when I arrived,” she expressed.
Her impressive 25th-place finish earned her a headline feature in the well-known sports daily L’Equipe that declared her the recipient of the ‘People’s Choice Award.’
Dorange’s sailing career began early, having previously crossed the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar in an Optimist dinghy at the age of 15. Throughout her remarkable voyage, she became an instant sensation on social media.
Before the start of the Vendee Globe, her Instagram following stood at around 50,000, but by Sunday, that number had surged to over 500,000. Additionally, she also has amassed considerable followings on TikTok and Facebook, which is fairly rare in the sailing community.
Her journey was vividly captured through a series of short videos managed by her communication team back on land. Dorange participated in the Vendee Globe aboard a boat previously owned by Jean Le Cam, which she renamed DeVenir.
“For three months, I was in my own bubble, without access to social media,” Dorange shared. “I became aware of the enthusiasm thanks to the messages from my family and my team. It was incredible. I did not expect so much support.”
The Vendee Globe route takes sailors around significant maritime landmarks such as Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, Cape Leeuwin in Australia, and Cape Horn in South America, covering an expansive distance of roughly 24,000 nautical miles (around 44,500 kilometers).
Having developed her sailing abilities in competitive Figaro class racing, Dorange indicated that she plans to take a well-deserved break before returning to the race with even greater aspirations.
“The adventure side is ticked off, but the top performance is still to be achieved,” she remarked. “There is still a lot of work to do, but it’s exciting. A new adventure begins, and I trust in the future.”
