Manu Cousin has known business life before he became a Vendée Globe racer, living before what the French call ‘metro, boulot, dodo’ – travel to work, work, sleep, repeat…. ad nauseum. For over 30 years, Manuel Cousin worked in the automotive industry. At the same time, he cultivated a desire to be a professional sailor. He worked hard at it and did his first Vendée Globe in 2020-2021. Along the way he delighted with his infectious enthusiasm even on the "off days". After the finish he decided quickly that he wanted to go again. And so the enlightened amateur, with the support of his team, has transformed his boat, lightened it by a ton and updated it comprehensively. Although Groupe Sétin are no longer the title sponsor (the company continues to provide technical support), Cousin decided to honor the association 'Coup de pouce' in which he has been involved for years.
Manuel Cousin: "I want to be more efficient and do better"
WHAT THE SKIPPERS SAID (24/40). After a professional career in the automobile industry, Cousin transitioned to pursue his sailing dreams and take on the the most famous round the world race. Four years after a successful first participation when he finished 23rd 'Manu' is back with the same boat which he has fully optimised as 'Coup de pouce'. He wants to go better this time and be up fighting in the heart of the daggerboard fleet.
Vendée Globe :
You're setting off for a second Vendée Globe. When did you get the idea to take part in it again?
It came as soon as I rounded Cape Horn in 2021. The Cape was not visible on the shore and I told myself that I had to do the Vendée Globe again to see it again. Yes, it's a lame excuse but from that moment on I thought about it. And then after the finish and all the emotions I felt, I really wanted to go for another round.
Vendée Globe :
Is having already done the Vendée Globe just an advantage or, on the contrary, additional pressure?
I think it's a bit of both. It’s a bit like a parachute jump: the first time you jump without waiting, the second time you know what to expect so you’re scared. I’m not going into the unknown, I know what awaits me and how I’m going to react. Until you’ve done the Vendée Globe, you don’t know how you’re going to react to spending more than 80 days alone. In terms of unknowns, I’ve ticked a few boxes. But afterwards, everything will be different: the scenario, the weather and probably my state of mind too.
Vendée Globe :
Are your goals different from four years ago?
Yes, of course. During the last edition, the number 1 goal was to finish the race. That’s still the case and we’re also adding a sporting challenge. I want to do better. And then there will be 17 boats with straight daggerboards. I hope to make a top 5 among them and why not a podium. In any case, we worked hard to improve the boat to achieve this!
Vendée Globe :
Why did you decide to set off with the same boat as in 2020-2021?
I didn't want to do the Vendée Globe again just to do it once again. I have deep seated desire to take part in it again to do better and perform better. The question of selling the boat arose, but with my partner at the time, we felt that the boat could be improved by doing very substantial work. That's what we did. So I'm setting off with the same boat but it's completely different!
Vendée Globe :
So what has changed?
During the three winters following the Vendée Globe, we had very intensive work phases. The centreboards and rigging were changed position the first year, then we lightened it and redid the back of the boat before improving the rudder and the bowsprit especially last winter. In total, the boat was considerably lightened since it lost more than a ton! We also focused on gaining reliability because I had quite a few problems during the last Vendée Globe. The goal is not to go the fastest but to be the most consistent throughout the race.
Vendée Globe :
During these four years, you had to deal with the loss of your title sponsor, Groupe Setin… How did you adapt?
It’s always difficult to lose a sponsor, especially when they’ve been with you for ten years. They haven’t left me completely: Groupe Sétin continues to be a technical partner by providing tools – which is not insignificant – and Éric Sétin, the company’s boss, has shares in the boat. When we heard the news, we had to bounce back quickly. It turns out that I’ve been involved with the Coup de Pouce association, which has been helping school dropouts for several years. I’ve been its sponsor since 1998, and I’ve been flying the association’s colours since 2014. It made sense for it to be the boat’s naming convention and for us to have a group of partners at the same time.
Vendée Globe :
You’re going back to the Southern Ocean… How would you describe what it is like down there?
It’s very difficult to explain because it mixes a lot of feelings and emotions. There’s fear of course because we’re far from everything. And at the same time, it’s wonderful with crazy colours, the swell, the strong wind... You feel the force of nature with incredible intensity. We’re also proud to have arrived there, to sail our boat there. Sometimes we feel good there, sometimes we realise that we have no business being there. When we leave, it’s a relief and yet we want to go back. The Southern Seas are all of that at the same time!
Vendée Globe :
You have a very different profile compared to the majority of the fleet, you had a professional life before... Is it a source of pride to be recognised in these different worlds?
Yes of course. I realise how lucky I am to be able to make a living from my passion. I rub shoulders with skippers who make me dream, who I saw in magazines or on television. Even if there is always a lot of work and it is very time-consuming, I never feel like I ‘go to work’ in the morning. I did a "normal job" for thirty years. The fact of having worked in a technical environment helps me on a daily basis with my small team.
Vendée Globe :
Even when there are difficulties, you manage to keep smiling, to always be smiling... Where does this enthusiasm come from?
I don't know, I've always been like that. It was also the case when I practiced cycling or taekwondo. Of course, you suffer sometimes but I take pleasure in the effort. Given how lucky I am to be in good health, to know that my loved ones are well and to participate in this incredible challenge, I have no right to complain!
