From an early age, Violette has been involved in the world of competitive sailing. After reaching the top level in light 420 sailing, crossing the English Channel in an Optimist at the age of 15, then the Straits of Gibraltar at 16, the sailor from La Rochelle developed a passion for ocean racing.
In 2018, she then decided to embark on her first adventure, the Mini Transat, and became the youngest woman to take part in this race. Violette doesn't stop there. A year later, she joined the Figaro circuit and competed in the Solitaire du Figaro for three consecutive seasons to perfect her skills in preparation for the Vendée Globe 2024. Determined, it was in 2023 that she acquired her IMOCA, Jean Le Cam's Farr design, which had already completed five round-the-world races.
Violette's first year on the IMOCA circuit is going promisingly well, as she works her way up to the front of the daggerboard IMOCA class with co-skipper Damien Guillou, as well as competing single-handed in the Retour à La Base. She is still looking for funding for her Vendée Globe campaign, but she still hopes to be on the starting line for the solo round the world race on 10 November.
Whilst racing in very tough conditions, over 35 knots of average wind speed, Violette Dorange’s J3 small headsail detatched itself and went in the water. Her sail goes overboard but is recovered.
She reports that the reason was the breakage of a part which attaches the sail to the mast. Now without an appropriate small headsail for the strong conditions, Violette says she will be patient now and wait to be able to climb the mast. She explains:
"I was under J3, the sail that is used in heavy weather. I saw that it had fallen into the water because the system that holds it broke. I first focused on recovering it but I struggled because there were 35 knots. When I recovered it, I put it down the hatch but at the same time, I broke the hinge of the sail locker hatch. Water rushed in, it was a real pain! I got the J3 away, closed the hatch as best I could and I waited a little. I repaired the sail a bit I recovered my halyard and that's when I saw that it wasn't the hook that was broken but a part that secures the sail. It's hard because it means that I no longer have a headsail for the strong winds but right now I still have average winds at 35 knots with gusts of 40 knots. I'm going to have to be patient! And as soon as I can, I'll have to climb the mast!
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