Local students will have the opportunity to sail around the world with Bermuda's entry in the Volvo Ocean Race - formerly the Whitbread - via a new joint initiative.

The XL/Bermuda Education Initiative, in conjunction with TYCO International Ltd., is set to have Bermuda secondary schools sistering with Thompson Middle School of Newport, Rhode Island for a unique experience, which will involve students tracking, communicating and studying the Volvo Race throughout the expected eight-month journey.

Educators Chris Swan, of Berkeley Institute, and Saleem Talbot, of CedarBridge Academy, have created lesson plans integrating themes of the Volvo race into existing science and physics curriculum.

"With a programme like this, learning becomes exciting," said Diane Miller, executive director of XL/Bermuda Education Initiative. "Everyday subject matter is virtually transformed into real world problem solving activities."

Team TYCO are set to make history as the first Bermuda entry in the around the world regatta, which features virtually identical 60-foot maxi yachts competing against each other on a nine-leg circumnavigation of the globe.

Kevin Shoebridge will skipper the craft with a professional crew.