France hails a young heroine: Violette, conqueror of the waves

The 23-year-old has become the youngest solo sailor to race around the world. Now it's hoped her example will inspire a more intrepid generation

When she set sail around the world from the west coast of France three months ago, Violette Dorange was barely known outside her sport. By the time she returned last week, she was a household name in her country.

At 23, Dorange has become the youngest solo sailor to complete the around-the-world race, having spent 90 days, 22 hours and 37 minutes at sea. Her diminutive figure came waving and smiling into the Atlantic port of Les Sables d'Olonne last Sunday, met by thousands of fans, fireworks and hundreds of journalists broadcasting live from speedboats.