Erica Lush Opens Doors for Rhode Island Women Sailors in Solitaire Qualifying Race

Jamestown native seeks to make waves in the Solo Guy Cotten race in Concarneau, France next week

CONCARNEAU, FRANCE - Rhode Island-based offshore sailor Erica Lush is making her first attempt to qualify for the prestigious Solitaire Du Figaro this weekend in the Solo Guy Cotten race in Concarneau, France. As part of her mission to create pathways for women into elite offshore sailing, Lush will be assisted in the regatta by 19-year-old Aurora Meunier Mott—a graduate of Wakefield’s Prout School and member of the University of Rhode Island sailing team.

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’m also thrilled to have Aurora with me for this race to make her way in the world of elite offshore sailing.”

Meunier Mott served as captain of the Prout School’s sailing team and was a member of URI’s sailing team in the fall season. She was inspired to pursue offshore sailing when the around-the-world Ocean Race made its way to Newport in 2023. Since then she has crewed several offshore boat deliveries and assisted trailblazing sailor Cole Brauer in her preparations for her Global Solo Challenge in 2024.

“My main goals are to be a more proficient sailor and to one day start my own sailing campaign,” said Meunier Mott. “While in France I hope to gain a better understanding of what professional sailing entails and watch Erica show the world what women can accomplish.”

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.