an emotional day

The French national media had already crowned her "the new star" (Ouest-France), the "superstar" (Le Parisien), "the child prodigy of sailing" (France 3). Violette Dorange completed her round-the-world race in 90 days but she did much  more than that. The youngest ever finisher "brought a breath of fresh air into communication" (France Info) and met with "incredible success on social networks" (Ouest-France) where "she is a huge hit" (Voiles et Voiliers).

A massive, intergenerational  joyful crowd

Not long after the start Her massive surge in popularity was evident as her social media numbers skyrocketed, enough to make community manager’s' head spin. When the village opened late October 2024 she started out with 50,000 on Instagram which had already doubled to 100,000 on start day, but now topping out at 557,000 on finishing today. She has 204,000 fans on Tiktok, 420,000 followers on Facebook. The celebrated French singer Angèle and the swimmer Léon Marchand are among her followers. Never has a French skipper attracted sus a fanbase on social networks. 

From early in the morning dozens of journalists and media mustered at the media centre. Coaches were chartered from her village in Charente-Maritime (Pont-l'Abbé-d'Arnoult). Fans gathered as detailed on social networks to form the "Vio bend" on, (literally Violet’s bend on the corner of the channel) Quai Rousseau-Mechin. 

A little further on, many INSA (national science schools) students like she is, have gathered around a brass band and under a balcony where a Figariste friend, Mael Garnier, is mixing his own brand of music. 

It is a massive, intergenerational, joyful crowd which lines the channel despite the light rain. On the water dozens of boats of all sizes and shapes turn out to welcome her. She makes her final tack and crosses the line to a huge cacophony of sirens and hooters. 

A little earlier, it is Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG MORI Global One) who is first to go up the channel. The public applauds him and warms up their voices. In the crowd, a small group of Parisians of Japanese origin wave a Japanese flag. The technical team sees them, alerts Kojiro who turns around to wave back to them, a first big emotional moment of the day.

And then it is Violette's turn to enter this giant nautical stadium around 12:30. "Violette, Violette, Violette" She jumps on her deck wearing the same cheeky, mischievous smile which has illuminated so many of her short videos which have told the story of her race. 

Today everyone seems to enjoy their connection with her: we identify, they feel close, they share he courage in the little things of everyday life. A dad explains that he invented a song so that his daughter will brush her teeth properly each night, "Violette sur l'océan, se brosse les dents". He laughs, wondering is it will still happen tonight, now that their little star is back on land! 

Even for the Vendée Globe the atmosphere is almost unbelievable to the public as well as for the young sailor. She turns around, forms a heart with her hands and holds her head for a long time as if she too can't believe the madness that is following her. 

A few hundred meters before docking, Violette breaks down, bursts into tears and holds her face. The rest is pure, young emotion soundtracked by Billie Eilish and the song "kids" by the group MGMT.

Violette is congratulated by Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Globe and the Department of Vendée, she pops the champagne and then falls into the arms of her father and mother. "Thank you," the sailor repeats in front of the pontoon of honor. 

In front of the cameras, she explains that she is "in shock," "stunned by the number of people in the channel." "I felt a lot of emotion" at the end of this "race that lived up to my expectations." "I think I've found my way and that I'll surely come back." 

And at the same time, towards the other end of the age and experience spectrum Kojiro Shiraishi achieves a remarkable feat by completing his second Vendée Globe, becoming the first Asian sailor to complete two solo round the world races, non-stop and without assistance.