Changing the game of offshore sailing
by carving a pathway for other female and American athletes to excel in elite offshore sailing competition.
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MY GOAL:
La Solitaire du Figaro, 2025
A French offshore SOLO racing circuit
Help Erica reach the start line.
Donations are tax-deductible in the US.
We need your help to begin training on January 15th!
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Learn more about how to donate or to make a pledge.
Ask About Partnership Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this campaign for the Solitaire du Figaro:
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Title Partner
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Platinum Partner(s)
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Select Official Partners
© Cate Brown
3 BACK-TO-BACK RACES
COMPLETELY ALONE
EACH RACE IS OVER 600 NAUTICAL MILES
The "Solitaire" for short, is the TOUGHEST training platform for offshore racing. Seasoned Vendee Globe sailors return to this fleet to continue training year after year.
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This series of marathon-style races require:
ENDURANCE
MENTAL TOUGHNESS
PREPARATION
STRATEGY
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Do these traits sound relatable to you?
These are the traits required to succeed in shorthanded racing.
— This race is solo, but the training and preparation presents development opportunities for more Americans and more female sailors. This story has the capacity to inspire.
BENEFITS OF BRINGING MORE WOMEN & MORE AMERICANS INTO THIS RACING SCENE:
Build Confidence
Solo sailing requires confidence. It doesn't come right away: There are moments when a sailor feels unsure of what they're about to do, or have to grapple with fear.
That's why training for the Solitaire du Figaro begins in January, with one extra person on board in case something goes wrong. By April a Solitaire competitor sails their first races completely alone, managing judgement calls, fatigue, and physical duress. In July, they sail fully crewed, sharing their knowledge with young participants. They say you never learn something until you teach it. Finally, by August - sailors steel themselves for the competition of a lifetime.
Some of the best sailors in the world cross the start lines of these races and fight for every nautical mile to cross the finish line first. Throughout a season of training, you build the confidence to compete in this league of legends.
Cultural Exchange
The Solitaire du Figaro takes place along the Atlantic coast of France. While there is an international presence in some ports, learning French language and culture is an important element of integrating into the training camps.
Benefits of cultural exchange includes increased creativity, empathy, and an ability to think outside the box. This program has the potential to shape great sailors, and also great people.
Development of Shorthanded Sailing
The United States has few development opportunities for this discipline. By bringing determined individuals into the highly competitive training scene in France - a country which has dominated this discipline for decades - the development state-side will receive a crucial talent boost.
My campaign will provide selected athletes of diverse backgrounds with an opportunity to participate in crewed distance racing in the Figaro 3, as well as learning how to prepare and maintain a boat for intense competition. This will inject talent back into the American competition state-side, more efficiently developing US competition in short-handed offshore competition.
Creating a Pathway
By running a successful racing campaign for 2025, I will be creating a replicable pathway for American sailors to train at an elite level in offshore sailing.
Currently the most efficient training grounds require campaigns overseas where the competition is most competitive. Setting up this type of campaign is complicated. By completing it myself I will be able to share the process and help smooth the road for the next athletes to follow.
Timeline
The next 1.5 years fully dedicated to intense training & storytelling to share the challenge with your clients or internal marketing targets.
Sponsors Invited to Race Village
Watch a race start and see your brand in action.
Apr - June
2025
First Solo Races
Complete first solo races ahead of the marathon competition
July
2025
Development
Crewed racing with young, diverse American crew
Aug-Sept
2025
The Main Event
Compete in the Solitaire du Figaro, aiming for top "rookie" result
Jan - Mar 2025
Winter Training
"Solo plus one" training in France alongside other Figaro sailors
2024
Double-Handed Competition
Represent the USA at World Championships in Lorient, France
Athlete Meet & Greets, Speaking Engagements
Available throughout the year around the training and racing schedule
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American Offshore & Shorthanded Sailor.