Erica Lush Gears Up For First Solitaire Du Figaro Qualifying Race

American sailor seeks to make waves in the Solo Guy Cotten race in Concarneau, France next month

Photo: Cate Brown

CONCARNEAU, FRANCE - 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 reestablish 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.

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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.