Valentine Colasante: “Skippers are the artists of reality”
- Antoine Grenapin
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
INTERVIEW. She shares the same taste for surpassing oneself, the same demanding physical fitness standards, and the same ability to share her passion. Valentine Colasante, a principal dancer at the Paris Opera, can draw many parallels between her demanding and stimulating activity and that of ocean racing. This is one of the reasons that prompted her to become patron of the Transat Paprec, as is Paprec's commitment to both worlds. Present on the pontoons of Concarneau this Tuesday, she spoke about this commitment.
Why did you agree to be the patron of this edition? It's a special event that sends a strong message and values that are dear to me. I'm particularly sensitive to the diversity, parity, inclusion, and respect for the environment that are valued at the Transat Paprec. Furthermore, Paprec is an important player in both ocean racing and culture through its commitment to opera. Being a patron is also a way of making the connection between art and sport, and I'm very happy to be here today.
“Diversity is a richness, a strength”
You mentioned diversity. What do you think of the Transat Paprec's commitment to this issue?
In dance, diversity is evident in the duets, the interactions, and the complementarity we find on stage. Sailing remains a very gendered sport. There is much progress to be made. The Transat Paprec initiative is very beautiful and deserves to be celebrated. It shouldn't be seen as a constraint. Diversity is a richness, a strength, and it also allows us to find new balances and new roles.
It’s a race between Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy… What does this route inspire in you?
Crossing the Atlantic seems completely crazy to me! And I think you have to be a little crazy to take on this challenge. I have a lot of admiration for all these skippers who attempt this challenge and who put aside their fears and worries. It's a human, technical, and artistic adventure. Ultimately, these sailors are all artists of reality. They will be facing the unknown, facing hazards... They have all my admiration!
“There is the idea of finding ever more freedom, of surpassing oneself again and again…”
What parallels can be drawn between ocean racing and dance?
All things considered, there are parallels between dance and sailing. This is the case in terms of personal development and mental preparation. They are passionate professions that require a lot of courage, a lot of investment, but you reap the rewards. Whatever the result at the finish line, it's never really over. We spend our time trying to imagine new goals, new projects... It's an endless quest, and that's so beautiful in our respective professions! There's the idea of always finding more freedom, of surpassing ourselves again and again...
In both worlds, there's the ability to be a role model for younger people. Is that a source of pride?
There have been great pioneers in dance as well as in sailing. It's still timid in sailing, but it's moving forward. We think of Florence Arthaud, Ellen MacArthur, and the generation that has emerged, Samantha Davies, Clarisse Cremer, Violette Dorange... These are inspiring women who will set the tone for the years to come, and that makes sense in our society.
Would it be possible for you to dance on a boat?
I've danced on a boat before, but at a standstill! In our industry, we're less exposed to harsh weather conditions. We have the hazards of live performance, and that's how it's comparable. However, knowing that these skippers will be battling the elements is something that really impresses me and inspires a lot of admiration in me.
