Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

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

by Mark LeBeau 19 Feb 20:43 GMT 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

Transat Paprec Day 12
Charlotte Yven & Hugo Dhallenne: "Now, it's all in the mind too!" He checked in mid-morning, and you could hear the joy in his voice — Hugo Dhallenne is doing what he loves most: racing at sea. He's at the front of the fleet in the Transat Paprec and fully enjoying this adventure alongside Charlotte Yven. Posted today at 2:41 pm
Brain injury survivor to return to sailing
In support of Headway, the charity which helped him British sailor Robin Elsey-Webb is making a powerful return to offshore racing this year with the launch of Kernow Ocean Racing/ BlackDog Collaboration. Posted today at 1:23 pm
Transat Paprec Day 11
The Battle of the Leaders Now past the halfway point and sailing through the heart of the Atlantic, the competitors in the Transat Paprec are still locked in an intense battle. A windless zone expected later this week is drawing everyone's attention and forcing tough decisions. Posted on 30 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 10
Alexis Thomas / Pauline Courtois (Wings of the Ocean): “It's the fulfillment of a childhood dream” Between two replies, Alexis Thomas, contacted this morning, apologises for "having completely lost track of the day and time." Posted on 29 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 9
The Westward Conquest As the second week of competition begins on the Transat Paprec, a new race has started. After passing the La Palma waypoint during the night from Saturday to Sunday, the duos are now making rapid progress towards the Caribbean. Posted on 28 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 7
Michel Desjoyeaux: "Ordinary people wouldn't agree to live through this" THE INTERVIEW. He will forever be the first. Alongside Jacques Caraës, Michel Desjoyeaux won the inaugural edition of the Transat Paprec. That was in 1992—he wasn't yet known as "the Professor," but already had all the talent. Posted on 26 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 6
A high-tension weekend At sea for six days, the competitors have already completed a quarter of the Transat Paprec course. After crossing the Bay of Biscay, rounding Cape Finisterre, and sailing down the Portuguese coast, the fleet has now stretched out. Posted on 25 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 5
Galley & Bloch: "We couldn't have dreamed of much better!" Laure Galley - Kévin Bloch (DMG MORI Academy): "We couldn't have dreamed of much better!" Posted on 24 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 4
Elastic? Not so automatic! For the first time since the start of the race, gaps are beginning to form. Off the Portuguese coast, part of the fleet—led by DMG MORI Academy and Maël Garnier - Catherine Hunt —has found a stronger wind corridor and is breaking away at the front. Posted on 23 Apr
Transat Paprec Day 3
Pier-Paolo Dean & Tiphaine Rideau: "We're having an incredible time!" They are the youngest duo in the Transat Paprec fleet. At just 19 and 20 years old, Tiphaine Rideau and Pier-Paolo Dean (Banques Alimentaires) have embarked on their first transatlantic crossing. Posted on 22 Apr