Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 TOP

Erica Lush Gears Up For First Solitaire Du Figaro Qualifier - Solo Guy Cotten race

by Mark LeBeau 19 Feb 12:43 PST 22-29 March 2025
Erica Lush © Cate Brown

American offshore sailor Erica Lush is making her first attempt to qualify for the prestigious Solitaire Du Figaro next month in the Solo Guy Cotten race in Concarneau.

Running from March 22-29, the Solo Guy Cotten is also serving this year as a French elite offshore sailing championship. Lush will take on the 450-nautical mile race alongside other prospective Solitaire competitors and hopefuls as part of their journey to that regatta's start in September.

"Training for the Solitaire is an incredible learning experience, and I am excited to apply what I've learned in Concarneau," said Lush. "Of course my ultimate goal is to qualify and compete in the Solitaire, but I also hope to carve paths for more women into the elite levels of offshore sailing and help re-establish the US as an offshore powerhouse."

More information about Erica and her journey can be found at LushSailing.com. There, supporters and potential sponsors can sign up for her newsletter and donate to her campaign. To get updates from Erica in France, she can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Erica

Erica Lush is a determined offshore sailor with a passion for adventure. Erica has covered 75,000+ nautical miles across oceans (that's equivalent to more than 2 laps of the planet!). She has fought for her place in a male-dominated sport, and is committed to carving more space for women like her to push their own potential.

In April 2024 Erica, along with the rest of the crew of 'Maiden', set history as the first all-female crew to win an around-the-world yacht race. Now she sets her sights on her hardest challenge yet: La Solitaire du Figaro in 2025. This single-handed marathon is one of the toughest training grounds in the world to reach the top level of offshore racing.

Related Articles

19 mixed duos set for the Transat Paprec
All the skippers and partners have gathered at Paprec Bretagne's headquarters in Le Rheu A key race in the calendar and in the French Elite Ocean Racing Championship, the first transatlantic race to be sailed on equal terms and to be entirely mixed since the previous edition, the Transat Paprec promises a great battle across the Atlantic. Posted on 20 Mar
Transat Paprec: new impetus for gender diversity
It's the story of a revolution at the heart of a fundamental movement For the second time in its long history, the double-handed transatlantic race on equal terms will be entirely made up of mixed doubles. Posted on 14 Mar
Tom Dolan honoured as Irish Sailor of the Year
A new milestone in an exceptional career Tom Dolan, the winner of the 2024 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, received the Irish Sailing "Sailor of the Year" award yesterday at the Irish Sailing awards event in Dublin. Posted on 1 Mar
Revealing talents, from Desjoyeaux to Dalin
The Transat Paprec continues to make history Many of the sailors that took part in the Vendée Globe started out in the Figaro class and had also taken part in the Transat Paprec. Posted on 26 Feb
Henri-Lloyd supports Team Solan for Transat Paprec
The pair are setting their sights on success in the prestigious race Henri-Lloyd has been announced as the Official Technical Clothing partner for Team Solan Ocean Racing. Posted on 11 Feb
Griffin25 Selection Weekend
Twenty-four sailors braved the winter conditions Twenty-four sailors braved winter conditions to attend the Griffin25 selection event, gathering before dawn at the Southampton Red Jet terminal. Posted on 6 Feb
The quest for back-to-back victories
On the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec In 2024, Tom Dolan made history by securing victory in the 55th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, becoming the first Irishman to have his name etched on the trophy. Posted on 1 Feb
Tom Dolan reflects on his 2024 Figaro season
Full of challenges and lessons but the achievements have taken centre stage With the 2024 Figaro programme drawing to a close, it is the perfect time to take stock of the past season, which will remain etched in my memory in more ways than one. Posted on 22 Oct 2024
2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway announced
Opening opportunities to young sailors in offshore sailing The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway, a programme designed to provide a range of opportunities to young sailors of different abilities, wanting to hone their skills in offshore sailing. Posted on 5 Oct 2024
Interview with Tom Dolan
After winning the La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Yesterday morning in La Turballe on the French Loire Atlantic coast Irish solo sailor Tom Dolan won La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, renowned as the toughest single handed multi stage offshore sailing race in the world. Posted on 13 Sep 2024
RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERMaritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERPredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOM