Lush retires from 2026 Solitaire du Figaro

American offshore sailor Erica Lush was forced to retire from the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in the third and final leg. With 36 solo entrants racing the one design Figaro BENETEAU 3, damage to her mainsail could not be repaired on board. Lush was aiming to become the first American to complete two Solitaires after having finished the 2025 edition.

“I sailed through a front which was forecast to bring wind of 25 knots with gusts up to 35. However, winds reached 43 knots and the force of the wind ripped the leech of the mainsail in two places,” said Lush, who had finished 34th and 23rd in the previous two legs, respectively.

“I came into this year’s Solitaire comfortable and confident in my abilities, and eager to move up the rankings. While retiring from the third leg was gutting, I am so proud of my performance in the first two legs.

“I didn’t come here to check the race off of some bucket list, but rather to hone my skills against the best with a long term vision. I can surely say I am doing that. It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to be here.”

The third and final leg had eight sailors exit the race early, including Irish sailor Tom Dolan, who had held the lead and was seeking his second Solitaire victory. The strong conditions caused multiple sail damages, one grounding, and a dismasting.

Lush’s 2026 Solitaire campaign was on a compressed timeline, as the annual regatta series began less than seven months after the finish of 2025’s event. Lush chartered the Beneteau Figaro 3 Hope from legendary offshore sailor Samantha Davies.

Lush plans to continue striving towards the Vendée Globe, a single-handed, around-the-world sailing race in the IMOCA 60. Lush’s father competed in the first iteration of the Vendée in 1982. She now turns her attention to the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race to compete in the Double-Handed Division.