He comes from a family that was mad about the sea and sailing. Manuel started out sailing an Optimist when he was six. A keen competitor, he made ocean racing the goal in his life and his boats grew as the years went by, from a 6.50m to a Class40. 2014 was the year of his first Transat Jacques Vabre; his sponsor, the SÉTIN Group, then joined the adventure. This was followed by three years of incredible races in Class40. In 2017, he turned to the IMOCA class, dreaming of the Vendée Globe. Determined and fighting hard, Manuel took part in all the IMOCA races and got his ticket to compete in the 2020 Vendée Globe. His main goal was to finish this legendary race. He did just that, finishing 23rd, never giving up, in spite of a broken keel ram. Manuel is one of those sailors who knows his boat like the back of his hand, and enjoys working on the technical aspects just as much as sailing. Always upbeat, he likes to share these adventures with as many people as possible and fully intends to be there on the start line for the 2024 Vendée Globe.
Groupe SÉTIN
Groupe SÉTIN Groupe SÉTIN Groupe SÉTIN Groupe SÉTIN
- Sail number: FRA 71
- 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
- Architect: Farr Yacht Design
- Construction: Southern Ocean Marine, Nouvelle-Zélande
- Launch Date: 2007
- Length: 18,28 m
- Beam: 5,80 m
- Draught: 4,50 m
- Weight: 8,4 tonnes
- Mast height: 27,80 m
- Upwind sail area: 300 m2
- Downwind sail area: 560 m2
- Foils: Non
His prizelist
- 2022 : Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 18th
- 2021 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 18th
- 2020-21 : Vendée Globe - 23rd
- 2020 : Vendée Arctique - Les Sables d'Olonne - 15th
- 2019 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 22nd
- 2019 : Bermudes 1000 Race - 12th
- 2018 : Route du Rhum - 14th
- 2018 : Bermudes 1000 Race - 4th
- 2017 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 11th
- 2016 : Transat Québec Saint-Malo - 14th (Class 40)