Back in 2008 the Vendée Globe was illuminated by charismatic Sam Davies who not only went on to finish fourth but along the way told her story with the same smile, grit and joie de vie that have become her trademarks, attributes which Dorange has shown in equal measure over her race.
Before she had even left the pontoon in November 2008 little did Sam Davies know then that she had already played an important role in inspiring and shaping the future of a 7 year old Violette.
With stars in her eyes the young Dorange met up with Sam and had a T-shirt autographed by the childhood idol who over these intervening years has remained an inspiration, a guiding star for her.
Now Sam and Violette are set to team up. Dorange joins Initiatives-Cœur as co-skipper, sailing alongside her lifelong idol, all the time united in shared goals of sporting performance and social responsibility commitments.
Davies and Dorange are driven by the same shared passions: the sea and strong human values. As this tenth edition of the Vendée Globe concludes a new story begins for both of them, one of human emotions, sharing and a desire to succeed together.
As Violette and Sam prepare to write this new chapter, the Vendée Globe continues to prove that it is much more than a race: it is a place where individual and shared dreams come to life.
