Manuel COUSIN
"Competitor at heart, I never give up."
The adventure was launched and the objectives of Manuel Cousin and Groupe Sétin were very clear. A joint commitment was made to do everything possible to achieve the 2020 Vendée Globe goal and it is now a done deal!
A programme aiming to sail around the world single-handed, non-stop and without assistance, and to involve partners and the widest possible public in the adventure. So it’s a long story that begins, after a 22nd place this season in the Transat Jacques Vabre race.
Palmarès
2019 : Transat Jacques Vabre – 22nd
2019 : Azimuth Challenge – 18th
2019 : Rolex Fastnet Race – 11th
2019 : Bermuda 1000 Breed – 12th
2018 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe – 14th
2018: Monaco Globe Series – 6th
2018 : Bermuda 1000 Breed – 4th
2017: Transat Jacques Vabre – 11th
2017 : Rolex Fastnet Race – 14th IMOCA
2016 : Quebec Saint-Malo – 14th Class40
2015: Transat Jacques Vabre – 7th Class40
Program in 2020, apart from the Vendée Globe
“The Transat and New York – Les Sables are on the calendar. We’ll be there. In any case, it was out of the question to miss New York – Les Sables. A very big year awaits us next year. And for the Vendée Globe, there is no longer any doubt. Even if, unfortunately, we weren’t at the finish of the two transatlantic races in 2020, we should mathematically be at the start. »
Accommodating professional life and sailing races
Manuel made the decision to change his life and go from being a passionate regatta sailor to a full time professional skipper. In 2017, at the age of 50, he quit his job as a salaried employee to compete against the greatest skippers at the start of the biggest ocean racing events, with an ambitious programme leading up to the 2020 Vendée Globe!
Based in Les Sables d’Olonne (in the Vendée), the boat’s home port, Manuel Cousin already has a long list of achievements with no less than five ocean crossings, around fifty France-England Transmanches and around twenty Transgascognes. Qualified for the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe since May, he has validated all of his entries in the IMOCA World Championship this season, which means he has established his reputation on a highly reliable boat.
An atypical career
From his four seasons in Class40, Manuel Cousin draws a very positive result, competing against the best in flagship races such as the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Transat Québec-Saint-Malo, with his loyal partner Groupe SETIN. Having arrived in the IMOCA Class two years ago, his first season, devoted exclusively to ocean racing, is a reflection of his tenacity. His career and experience, without fail, will have enabled him to be among the competitors in the Route du Rhum 2018.
// HIS BOAT
Name SETIN GROUP
Sail number ENG 71
Architect Farr Yacht Design
Built 2007, Southern Ocean Marine, New Zealand
Former names Paprec-Virbac 2, W Hotels, ESTRELLA DAMM, WE ARE WATER, Le Bateau des Métiers by Aerocampus, La Mie Câline – Artipôle
Length 18.28 m
Width 5.80 m
Draft 4.5 m
Weight 9 tons
Mast height 29 m
Mast Mast to Wing type
Foils No
Max. sail area About 270 m2
Carrying 560 m2
// FAVORITE PRODUCT : Pola Star
Light, comfortable and floatable, the sunglass POLA STAR is ideal for sailing and boating. Its removable foam makes it semi-waterproof and floatable ! Its category 3 polarizing lenses reduce reflections on the water, considerably improving comfort and visual perception while reducing eye fatigue. Its removable strap provides comfort and support for a safe tack.
