BTMI celebrates the launch of MOD70 trimaran Ms Barbados

BTMI celebrates the launch of Ms Barbados with Team Concise © Helena Darvelid

BTMI celebrates the launch of Ms Barbados with Team Concise © Helena Darvelid

Team Concise set their sights on world records, while media and partners gathered in Southampton, as Ms. Barbados is unveiled and launched in true Bajan style with Excellency Guy Hewitt, High Commissioner, William Griffith CEO, BTMI, Cheryl Carter Director, BTMI and Team Concise.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has entered into a sponsorship partnership with Team Concise ahead of the Mount Gay Round the Island race in January 2016.

The aim of the collaboration is to significantly increase the awareness of Barbados as a sailing destination, and attract more yachts to Barbados, the Caribbean's premier tourist destination and, in particular, to draw attention to January 2016's "Round Island Race", commemorating 50 years of Independence for Barbados.

Two of Team Concise's yachts have been branded "Ms. Barbados", for the coming winter season. They will fly the "Barbados colours" (blue and yellow) in the U.K., France, Portugal, the Canary Islands and Brazil before competing in the RORC Transatlantic race from Lanzarote to Grenada in November, before heading to its new base near Bridgetown for the West Indies winter racing season.

The two boats will make repeated runs around Barbados in January 2016 attempting to establish new world records for the fastest time around the island. This will be a visual feast of speed for visitors on the beaches as well as local Bajans' who have a passion for anything fast, on or off the water.

Speaking at the time of the launch, William Griffith, BTMI CEO commented: 'We are extremely excited to be a part of Team Concise' world record attempt and look forward to following the Ms. Barbados updates while she crosses the Atlantic on her initial run in the RORC race in November. The aim of working with highly regarded racing organisations such as Team Concise is to help us raise our profile and attract more yachts from around the world. On top of all this Ms. Barbados is an astoundingly beautiful sailing vessel'

At the launch Team Concise CEO, Tony Lawson said: "Going back to Barbados is like going home for me. I first sailed out there from the U.K.as a teenager in 1966, now, just the thought of spending the winter season in those amazing warm waters really excites me.

"Ms. Barbados" racing up and down the coast as often as we can is going to really WOW the visitors and locals alike. Finally, we hope to get talented young local sailors involved with the project and give them the chance to see what World Class multihull sailing is all about.'

In addition, there is a planned show down between Concise 10, and one of the local rally cars, which will race each other around the island. While Concise 10 surfs down Atlantic breakers off the East Coast of Barbados at speeds in excess of 40 knots, one of the islands top drivers will be pounding along the adjacent beaches, leaping sand dunes and tearing up dirt roads all to see who can "get round first".

While all of this is going on, a new challenge, "The Barbados Flying Mile" will be opened up to all. Local and visiting yachts will be able to time themselves over a measured mile between two marker buoys set just off the West Coast's glorious beaches. Captains can then post their elapsed times online and claim bragging rights if they are the fastest.