Fini, slides in the sun and lots of vitamin D! Launched towards the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) in the 10th centurymy In this edition of the Vendée Globe, Violette Dorange prepares to face the Agulhas Current, which runs along the eastern coast of Africa and causes chaos in the southern Atlantic before flowing into the Indian Ocean.
“This is probably the most dangerous area of the race, there can be drops of 6 to 10 meters”warns the 23-year-old sailor, who had never pointed her bow there before. “We will have to take it easy so as not to damage anything, because for me there are still two months and ten days of the race. »
Waiting to round the first reference cape – previously Cape Leeuwin (Australia) and then Cuerno (Chile) – of this solo, non-stop and unassisted round-the-world trip in the middle of next week, Becomeits 18 m monohull (Imoca), immerses itself in the first shades of gray of the South Atlantic.
“The weather is getting cloudy, it is getting cooler and, since Thursday [28 novembre]the wind is high »points out the boss, who no longer lives in a bathing suit. The sail changes ordered by this new environment have “It pumped a lot of energy” but he assures that he feels “super good and ready for the south seas.”
“I need to find my rhythm”
Why, then, that unusual veil of annoyance in his reedy voice? “I have to find my rhythm with this slightly stronger wind, because I’m slower than the two next to me and, as there is a little more wind behind me, others are coming back”whispers.
HE ” two ” in question are Eric Bellion (stand as one) and Benjamín Ferré (Monoyeur-Duo For A Job), its neighboring pontoons in Port-Laforêt (Finistère), port deputy of Become. Do you talk to them on the radio? “No, we are not talking.”responds the fierce competitor.
Like Violette, the “ two » are among the 15 competitors [sur 39 encore course] equipped with monohulls with straight fins. Much slower than 24. frustrating, whose lateral appendages allow them to fly over the water and reach maximum speeds of 70 to 80 km/h, the “ drifts » are competing in the race. Without being polite. The striking Violette appeared, from the equator, in the leading trio of this unofficial ranking headed by Jean Le Cam (It all starts at Finistère-Armor Lux).
“I consume too much data”
But since Thursday, November 28, he has lost ground, which bothers him. “ It’s been a long time coming and I’m going to figure out what to do. “she swears. On Saturday, November 30 at 7 am, 27my position (5my drifting ship), just over 1,900 miles (about 3,000 kilometers) from the leading quartet formed by Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance), first at the Cape of Good Hope the day before, closely followed by Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), Sébastien Simón (Dubreuil Group) and Yoann Richomme (Paprec-Arkéa) in less than four hours.
But there is something else. The price of the freshness and spontaneity that the young woman brings to the story of her adventure on her social networks – 380,000 subscribers on Instagram, compared to 12,000 a little over a year ago – is that people on earth want to know everything about life. aboard. Become. To the point that between the video conferences to honor, the videos and sound clips to transmit to the race organization and the media, Violette has devoured her data package for the entire month of November in 20 days of racing.
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However, having undertaken this 45,000 kilometer circumnavigation with one of the most modest budgets in the fleet (which it has not yet completed), the sailor cannot foresee additional expenses. “ “I love sharing what I’m experiencing, but if I consume too much data, I fear I won’t have enough to upload my essential weather files.” she worries.
Since the Vendée Globe fleet set sail from Les Sables-d’Olonne on November 10, the sailor beloved by the public and the media has only spoken to her parents twice. And he only interacts briefly with his team every two or three days. With a rule: “It is always the ship that calls land. »
Embark “with Violette for the planet”
Every week, the world takes you on board Becomethe 18 meter monohull of Violette Dorange, 23 years old, the youngest of the forty competitors in the 10my edition of the Vendée Globe and the youngest skipper in the history of this quadrennial round the world trip, solo, non-stop and without assistance. A 45,000 kilometer journey through the Capes of Good Hope (South Africa), Leeuwin (Australia) and Horn (Chile), which departed from Les Sables-d’Olonne (Vendée) on November 10, 2024, and which it intends to complete in three months.
Find the different episodes:
Not a penny in your pocket but never short of ideas, Violette Dorange, the “Little Thumbelina” from the tenth edition
“It’s a dangerous place and where ships break down.”Violette Dorange tackles the thorny Cae Finisterre
“There are always two or three competitors in sight”grouped race start for Violette Dorange
“Head upside down”: Violette Dorange, moves to the southern hemisphere
