Racing for Resilience: PIMS & RRN Partner with Erica Lush in La Solitaire du Figaro
From coral nurseries to Europe’s hardest solo offshore race; why our science belongs at sea.
Who is Erica Lush?
An American offshore sailor with over 75,000 nautical miles, Erica has raced through the Southern Ocean, rounded the great southern capes, and sailed in the Ocean Globe Race. In 2025 she based herself in Brittany, France, training at Lorient Grand Large—“basically a university for offshore sailing.”
Her campaign is unapologetically purpose-driven: I’m hoping to attract corporate sponsorship as part of my goal to carve a pathway for more Americans and more young women to enter the higher levels of the sport.
(Sailing World).
Erica sails aboard Hope, a Figaro BENETEAU 3 named after her home state of Rhode Island’s motto. As she says: “All challenges begin with a foundation of hope… Regardless of the result of this regatta, the fact that I am here and competing with legends of the sport shows that it is possible for women and Americans to become powerhouses in offshore sailing.”
WindCheck Magazine captured her mission best: her Lush Sailing campaign is aimed at developing equitable opportunities for female offshore sailors and growing American development in the sport.
Photo credit (above): E.Brown / La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2025
About the Race
La Solitaire du Figaro is considered the “Tour de France of sailing.” It is a proving ground for solo sailors: three legs, each over 600 nautical miles, across the Bay of Biscay and Atlantic coastlines that have launched Vendée Globe careers.
- Leg 1: Rouen → Baie de Morlaix (Sept 7–14, 2025)
- Leg 2: Baie de Morlaix → Vigo, Spain (565 nm)
- Leg 3: Vigo → Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, France — described by race officials as “fraught with pitfalls”
Track Erica’s progress live: Official Cartography.
The opening leg started September 7 at 1:02 p.m. local time from Le Havre, France, sending sailors on a 673-nautical-mile course around Ireland’s Fastnet Lighthouse, past the Isles of Scilly, and finishing in Baie de Morlaix. Solo sailors must not only master sails and navigation, but also manage their own nutrition and sleep — reasons the Solitaire is considered one of the world’s toughest races. Competitors are expected to finish Leg 1 on September 11.
Why PIMS & RRN Are Here
We restore coral reefs and empower coastal communities across the Caribbean. That work demands planning, patience, and performance under pressure—the same qualities Erica channels at sea. Sponsoring her European campaign introduces PIMS and RRN to new audiences while reinforcing our belief in science-backed action.
Results are good… but I just really want to become a stronger sailor.— Erica Lush
This campaign is also backed by a coalition of supporters including the Performance Sailing Fund of New York Yacht Club, Storm Trysail Club, Ocean Blue Sailing Foundation, TGM Real Estate, and many private donors — alongside PIMS and the Reef Rescue Network.
Follow & Watch Erica Go!
In April 2024, Erica and the all-female crew of *Maiden* made history as the first women’s team to win an around-the-world yacht race. Now, she sets her sights on her hardest challenge yet: La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec.
More Ways To Follow Along:
What’s Next
Leg 1 finishes in Baie de Morlaix on Sept 14. From there Erica races south to Vigo, Spain, and onward to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. We’ll share updates as her story—and ours—unfolds.
If you share our passion for ambitious goals—on reefs and at sea—connect with PIMS and RRN. Let’s build partnerships that protect coasts, empower communities, and inspire the next generation.
About the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS)
For more than 50 years, Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) has advanced ocean stewardship around the world. Guided by our vision “Thriving Seas, Empowered Communities,” our scientists pair cutting‑edge research with hands-on conservation to protect coral reefs, mangroves, fisheries, and coastal habitats while supporting sustainable livelihoods. We collaborate with governments, NGOs, schools, and forward‑thinking businesses to turn data into action—whether restoring reefs through our Reef Rescue Network, mapping coastal ecosystems with drone and photogrammetry technology, or training the next generation of marine leaders. By discovering solutions, creating opportunities, and inspiring action, PIMS works to ensure a healthy ocean for people and the planet alike. Learn more at www.perryinstitute.org.
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