Naturally affable, at first glance Manuel Cousin has the profile of a passionate sailor. However, there’s much more to this 52-year-old Norman, based in Les Sables d'Olonne, his boat’s home port. For him, there is competition at every level of the ranking.
After spending twenty years in the automotive industry, Manuel Cousin, who has been passionate about sailing since his childhood, decided late in life to pursue his dream of becoming a professional sailor. Initially launched in Class40, he draws a very positive assessment of these first years with Groupe SETIN, the participation in flagship races such as the Transat Jacques Vabre or the Quebec Saint - Malo which allow him to evolve since 2017 in IMOCA. His first two seasons on the IMOCA Groupe SETIN are a reflection of his temperament.
The only IMOCA skipper to have raced in all the races on the calendar since joining the class, he is working hard to be confident in the future, while giving a more sporty tempo to his participations in order to get his entry ticket for the Vendée Globe.
He will start the mythical round-the-world race on November 8, 2020 with the goal of finishing. Determined more than anything else, the skipper of Groupe SÉTIN will have shouted loud and clear his determination and perseverance in every difficulty he encounters throughout the race.
In 2021, the team carried out a major refit on the boat to make it more competitive: weight reduction, change of bowsprit, rudder system, cap or ballast system, many elements were modified.
In 2022, Manu announced his participation in the entire IMOCA GLOBE SERIES program in order to gain as many miles as possible for the 2024 Vendée Globe.
2022: Route du Rhum - 32ème
Défi Azimut - 22ème
Vendée Arctique - ABD
Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 18th
2021: Transat Jacques Vabre - 18th
Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération - Retired
2020-21 : Vendée Globe - 23ème (103j 18h 15min 40s)
2020 : Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne - 15th
2019 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 22th
Défi Azimut - 18th
Rolex Fastnet Race - 11th
Bermuda 1000 Race - 12th
2018: Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 14th
Monaco Globe Series - 6th
Bermuda 1000 Race - 4th
2017: Transat Jacques Vabre - 11th
Rolex Fastnet Race - 14th IMOCA
2016: Quebec Saint-Malo - 14th Class 40
2015: Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th Class 40