Storm Trysail Club member Erica Lush continues to make waves in her ambitious solo offshore racing campaign. March marked a major milestone with her first solo regatta and a successful offshore training block—both critical steps toward qualifying for the prestigious Solitaire du Figaro.

Offshore Training: Building Confidence in Heavy Air

During a recent solo offshore training race, Erica faced sustained winds of up to 30 knots, providing her first opportunity to fine-tune sails under real race conditions. "It took a bit of gumption to hoist a kite at the top mark," she shared, "but once up, it was smooth sailing."

Experiences like these are shaping her confidence and mental preparedness: “These are the moments I carry forward—I can do this, and this is how.”

A Boat Renamed Hope

In a nod to both her personal journey and her Rhode Island roots, Erica has renamed her boat Hope. “Every challenge, adventure, or change in the world starts with hope,” she said. “It’s the foundation for everything I’m working toward.”

She also paid tribute to the nearly 50 individuals whose support made this campaign possible by displaying their names on the hull—thanks to Rhode Island’s own Flagship Stickers for donating the name placards.

If you would like to donate and support her journey to getting to the starting line, please consider a donation to her cause, or if your business would like to sponsor, reach out to her: https://www.lushsailing.com/support

First Solo Regatta: Halfway to Qualification

The season’s first regatta featured two days of inshore racing and a 270-nautical mile offshore leg—Erica’s first solo event of this kind. She now stands halfway to her qualification for the Solitaire, with the next event set for May.

One highlight was a strong inshore performance, rounding a top mark in 7th and finishing 14th out of 31 competitors. “This fleet has a reputation,” Erica noted. “So realizing I could hold my own—and make smart, independent tactical decisions—was a big confidence boost.”

Shifting the Mindset

With so much invested in the campaign, Erica shared a valuable insight: “Telling myself to ‘go win this’ actually triggered more pressure than motivation.” Conversations with Olympic sailors reinforced that success is a consequence of preparation, not just mindset.

Instead, she’s adopted a more empowering mantra: “Put everything I have into the race—leave it all on the water.”

That mentality sustained her through the grueling 48-hour offshore race, where she had just 20 minutes of sleep at a time. “I still found myself fine-tuning sail trim, adjusting the autopilot, and doing anything I could to go the extra mile.”

Supporting the Next Generation

Erica was joined shoreside by Aurora ("Rory") Meunier Mott, who traveled from Rhode Island to assist during the event. “Having another set of hands was invaluable,” Erica said. “It cut the work in half and kept spirits high.”

Beyond logistics, it was also a chance to inspire and support future American women in offshore sailing. “Creating pathways for the next generation is part of my mission,” Erica added.

Stay tuned for more updates as Erica tackles her next qualifier and continues her journey to the starting line of the Solitaire du Figaro.