French offshore sailor Violette Dorange and Spanish 470 champion Marta Cardona Alc\u00e1ntara have been named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 listViolette Dorange celebrates with relatives on her Imoca monohull Devenir after placing 25th in the 10th edition of the 2024-25 Vendee Globe. Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis \/ AFP via Getty ImagesIs sailing having a moment? Forbes certainly seems to think so.
\nThis year\u2019s 30 Under 30 has included two promising two young sailors, French offshore sailor Violette Dorange and Spanish 470 mixed-crew champion Marta Cardona Alc\u00e1ntara, on the prestigious list.
\nForbes 30 Under 30 brings together a cross-section of young leaders across sports, arts, research, social impact, and industry.
\nMeet the first sailors to be included.
\nViolette Dorange, the youngest ever Vend\u00e9e skipper
\nViolette Dorange holds smoke flares as she celebrates on her Imoca monohull Devenir after placing 25th in the 10th edition of the Vendee Globe. Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis \/ AFP via Getty Images
\nIn the 2024-25 Vend\u00e9e Globe, the then-23-year-old French sailor became the youngest solo sailor to finish the around-the-world race.
\nAfter a record-setting 90 days, 22 hours, and 37 minutes, she arrived 25th out of 40 with DeVenir, the very same boat Vend\u00e9e legend Jean Le Cam had already sailed around the world five times.
\nHer journey captivated millions, inspiring a new generation of sailors and highlighting the evolving landscape of competitive sailing.
\nDorange has since written a book about the experience, and been the subject of Disney+ documentary.
\n\u2018I hope to make young people want to go on an adventure,\u201d she told the Guardian in 2025. \u2018And to challenge themselves to be close to nature.\u2019
\nViolette Dorange with Samantha Davies, Sailing Initiatives Coeur during the Transat Cafe L\u2019or 11th Hour Racing 2025 in Le Havre, France. Photo by Bruno Vandevelde\/Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images
\nHer sailing career started with a string of victories at the 420 World Youth Open Championships.
\nAt 15, she crossed the Channel on an Optimist.
\nShe followed the feat with a Mini Transat, 3 gruelling Solitaire du Figaros, a Transat Jacques Vabres, the Retour \u00e0 La Base, and a stint co-skippering with 2026 Golden Globe Race entrant Damien Guillou on the IMOCA circuit.
\nIn 2025, Dorange joined Sam Davies as Co-Skipper on IMOCA team Initiatives-C\u0153ur.
\nMarta Cardona Alc\u00e1ntara, queen of the 470 class
\nYoung World Sailor of the Year Marta Cardona Alc\u00e1ntara with sailing partner Jordi Xammar Hern\u00e0ndez. Photo by World Sailing
\nThe second sailor on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list is Spain\u2019s Marta Cardona Alc\u00e1ntara, who was also named the 2025 Youth World Sailor of the Year.
\nAt just 21 years old, she\u2019s already built quite the career, having collected multiple World and European titles.
\nIn 2024, in her debut season, she secured both the World and European Championships in the Mixed 470 class with partner and Olympic medalist Jordi Xammar after training together for only 40 days.
\nContinuing on her rapid ascent, she\u2019s expected to play a key role for Spain in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.<\/p>\n
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French offshore sailor Violette Dorange and Spanish 470 champion Marta Cardona Alc\u00e1ntara have been named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 listViolette Dorange celebrates with relatives on her Imoca monohull Devenir after placing 25th in the 10th edition of the … <\/p>\n