Erica Lush Passes First Qualifier for Solitaire du Figaro After Completing Solo Guy Cotten Regatta

Trailblazing American sailor sets sights on next qualifying race and September’s solo regatta series

CONCARNEAU, FRANCE - Rhode Island sailor Erica Lush completed her first qualifying race for the Solitaire du Figaro this week after competing in the Solo Guy Cotten Regatta. Aboard her vessel Hope, Lush completed the regatta’s offshore course with a time of one day 22 hours three minutes and four seconds. Lush now sets her sights on early May’s Solo Maître CoQ in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, where she hopes to lock in her qualification for the Solitaire.

“I’m very happy with the effort I put in this week,” said Lush. “I am deeply proud to represent the United States and Rhode Island in this campaign and am looking forward to the next chance to qualify for the Solitaire. This is just the first step, and I am ready to keep going in the preparations for September.”

Assisting Lush ashore in the Solo Guy Cotten was fellow Rhode Islander Aurora “Rory” Meunier Mott. As part of her mission to create more pathways for American women into the top levels of offshore racing, Lush welcomed Meunier Mott onto her team to provide first hand experience and insight into the world of offshore sailing. Meunier Mott is a graduate of Rhode Island’s Prout School and a member of the University of Rhode Island’s sailing team.

Lush selected the name Hope for her vessel as a nod to the state motto of Rhode Island, as well as a reminder that tackling any challenge begins with a foundation of hope.

Lush will now spend the coming months continuing to prepare for September’s Solitaire and building her team of sponsors and supporters.

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.