Manuel COUSIN

IMOCA Globe Series37th
Points128 pts
Age56 (7/10/67)
Top performanceVendée Globe 2020 finisher
Joined Imoca on2017
TeamTeam Manuel Cousin
BaseLes Sables d'Olonne (FRANCE)
PartnersGIFFARD Manutention
CommitmentCoup de Pouce, Partenaire de la réussite scolaire

Profile

Born into a family with a passion for the sea and sailing, Manuel began sailing Optimists at the age of 6. A keen competitor, ocean racing is the common thread running through his life, and his boats have grown over the years, from the 6.50m to the Class40.

Having spent twenty years in the automotive industry, Manuel Cousin, who has been passionate about sailing since his early childhood, chose to retrain late in life to realize his dream of becoming a professional sailor.

2014, the first Transat Jacques Vabre, and his sponsor, Groupe SÉTIN, joins the adventure. More than three years of fantastic Class40 racing followed. In 2017, he turned to IMOCA racing, with dreams of the Vendée Globe. A determined fighter, Manuel lined up for all the IMOCA races and earned his entry ticket for the 2020 Vendée Globe.

His primary objective was to finish this legendary round-the-world race, which he did in 23rd place, giving up nothing, albeit with a broken keel cylinder! Manuel is one of those sailors who knows his boat inside out, enjoying working on the technical aspects of his machine as much as sailing.

In 2021, the team is carrying out a major refit on the boat to make it more competitive: lightening, changing the bowsprit, rudder system, cap and ballast system, numerous elements are being modified.

A cheerful character, he enjoys sharing his challenges with as many people as possible. Registered for the Vendée Globe 2024, he is continuing his qualification and is aiming to be on the starting line on November 10, 2024!

Sailing Highlights

2023 : Retour à La Base - 25th
2023 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 25th
2023 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 24th
2023 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 23th
2022 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 30th
2022 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 22th
2022 : Vendée Arctique - ABD
2022 : Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 18th
2021 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 18th
2021 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - Abandon
2020-2021 : Vendée Globe - 23th
2020 : Vendée Arctique - 15th
2019 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 22th
2019 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 18th
2019 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 11th
2019 : ArMen Race - 4th
2019 : Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 12th
2018 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 14th
2018 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 13th
2018 : Drheam-Cup 700 - 8th
2018 : Monaco Globe Series - 6th
2018 : Bermudes 1000 Race – Douarnenez / Cascais - 5th
2017 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 11th
2017 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 9th
2017 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 8th
Other highlights

2016: Quebec Saint-Malo - 14th Class40
2015: Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th in Class40

Boat

Name COUP DE POUCE
Sail numberFRA 71
ArchitectFarr Yacht Design
Construction2007, Southern Ocean Marine, Nouvelle-Zélande
Former namesPaprec-Virbac 2, W Hotels, ESTRELLA DAMM, WE ARE WATER, Le Bateau des Métiers by Aerocampus, La Mie Câline, La Mie Câline – Artipôle, Groupe Sétin, Giffard Manutention - Coup de Pouce
Length18,28 m
Beam5,80 m
Draught4,5 m
Weight9 tonnes
Mast height27,80m
Mast typeWing mast
FoilsNo
Sail area max.
Upwind300m2
Downwind560 m2
© ean-Marie LIOT / Defi Azimut Lorient Agglomération
© © Olivier Blanchet / Alea