| Age | 57 (7/10/67) |
|---|---|
| Top performance | Vendée Globe 2020 finisher |
| Joined Imoca on | 2017 |
| Team | Team Manuel Cousin |
| Base | Les Sables d'Olonne (FRANCE) |
| Partners | GIFFARD Manutention |
| Commitment | Coup de Pouce, Partenaire de la réussite scolaire |
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!
2016: Quebec Saint-Malo - 14th Class40
2015: Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th in Class40
| Name | COUP DE POUCE |
|---|---|
| Sail number | FRA 71 |
| Architect | Farr Yacht Design |
| Construction | 2007, Southern Ocean Marine, Nouvelle-Zélande |
| Former names | Paprec-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 |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Beam | 5,80 m |
| Draught | 4,5 m |
| Weight | 9 tonnes |
| Mast height | 27,80m |
| Mast type | Wing mast |
| Foils | No |
| Sail area max. | |
| Upwind | 300m2 |
| Downwind | 560 m2 |
The 2020 edition of the Vendée Globe has generated unprecedented interest. As a result, the organisers decided to increase the number of places at the start to 40 for the 2024 edition. 44 skippers applied for this 10th e…
•••After a spectacular 2023 season, that saw more miles sailed by more sailors in more races than ever before in the IMOCA Class, 2024 now lies ahead – a year that will dominated by two solo transatlantic sprints and then t…
•••While the IMOCA are in winter refit, the organisers of the Vendée Globe are unveiling the details and line-up of their transatlantic race, the New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne, which will start off the coast of the …
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