Barbados has it all – from flying fish, to flying boats (More…)

17 Sep Barbados has it all – from flying fish, to flying boats (More…)

The CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. William Griffith, has announced a new and exciting partnership between Barbados and Team Concise, Britain’s hugely successful offshore racing team.The aim of the collaboration is to attract more yachts to Barbados, the West Indies premier tourist destination, and in particular to draw attention to January 2016’s “Round Island Race”, commemorating 50 years of Independence for Barbados as well as celebrating former Prime Minister, Errol Barrow’s passion, “for all things’ sailing”.

Speaking at the time, the Minister of Tourism, the Hon Richard L. Sealy commented: “We Barbadians want more yachtsmen and racers to stop by and enjoy our beautiful island. We have excellent clearance facilities, two welcoming yacht clubs, new marinas and Government is building more visitor berths’ in time for the coming winter season. I believe that working with a highly regarded sailing organisation like Team Concise will help us raise our profile and attract more boats to our marvelous island and it’s ever improving yachting facilities.”

Two of Team Concise’s yachts, their amazing 70ft trimaran – Concise 10, and the highly successful Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), Class 40 Champion, Concise 8 will be branded “Ms. BARBADOS”, for the coming winter season at a special ceremony in the UK in September. They will then fly “ Barbados colours” in the U.K. , France, Portugal, the Canary Islands and Brazil, before heading to their new base near Bridgetown for the West Indies winter racing season. With the trimaran carrying a 30ft tall “Trident” , the iconic symbol of BTMI on its head sail, the Barbados “brand” will be highly visible on race courses on both sides of the Atlantic, north and south.

When asked why, of all of the islands, he had chosen Barbados for his base, Team Concise CEO, Tony Lawson responded: “Barbados has it all! You have deepsea fishing, water-sports, super beaches, surfing, golf courses, tennis, first class polo and horse racing, motor racing, great restaurants and iconic hotels – and it’s all within 20 minutes. There’s nowhere else in the West Indies that can offer my crew and guests so much. In fact you can’t find an offer like this anywhere else in the world. It’s unique! That’s why we are delighted to be going there.”

The yachts are expected in Barbados, around the 15th of December, after Concise 10 completes the RORC Transatlantic Race, and Concise 8 the Transat Jacques Vabre race from France to Brazil. Then, as part of their program the two boats will make repeated runs around Barbados attempting to establish new 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.
In addition, there is a planned show down between Concise 10, and one of the local rally cars, who 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 kts, 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 comers. 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.