starting on September 23 as the Island embarks on its first ever foray into the Volvo Ocean Race Round the World -- formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race.

Lofting the local banner will be locally-based manufacturing and service company Tyco International Ltd., which has assembled an expert group of more than 20 individuals, dubbed Team Tyco.

However, no Bermudians will be among the team which has New Zealand's Kevin Shoebridge, a four-time Whitbread veteran, as captain. Shoebridge will lead his men against five other yachts, with two from Sweden (Assa Abloy Racing Team and Team SEB) and one each from Germany (Illbruck Challenge), Norway (Djuice Dragons) and Australia (Team News Corp).

The event gets underway in Southampton, England with a 7,350 nautical mile leg to Cape Town, South Africa. From there further stops are scheduled in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, the USA, France and Sweden, before the finish in Kiel, Germany.

Tyco in Round World race From Page 15 The estimated completion date is September 6, 2002 at which time the winning boat will have completed 32,250 nautical miles.

However, while sailing -- and winning -- is part and parcel of Team Tyco's interest in participating in the Volvo event, the company itself places a great deal more on the marketing aspect as it looks to spread the brand around.

"The goal of Team Tyco is of course to win, but the goal of Tyco as a Corporation is to use the event to move the business forward,'' said Judith Czelusniak, senior vice president of corporate relations, yesterday.

"As with everything else Tyco does, this is an activity that will actually help us grow the business, and we're going to use our participation in the Volvo Ocean Race as a way to get customers around the world involved.

"There are very few activities that can cost effectively cover the entire world. When you talk about special events, most of them are local. There are very few that are truly global events, and this is a moving event that will allow us to reach customers in every venue that this race touches.

"We now operate in 100 countries and there are very few opportunities to get to customers a single message in so many areas of the globe. This is the kind of thing that, by virtue of what it is ... it's about teamwork, it's about winning, it's about spirit, offers a good reflection of what Tyco is about.'' At the same time Bermuda with its flag flapping astern and name affixed, will tag on for the ride and, like that of Tyco, pervade the hearts and minds of those at the various ports, along with the expected millions following via various media outlets.

"We're certainly proud to be a Bermuda company participating and representing Bermuda in this race,'' added Czelusniak, who noted how more information as to the tangible benefits to the Island would be disseminated during the official unveiling of Team Tyco's new Volvo 60 yacht on Sunday.

Premier Jennifer Smith is scheduled to christen the craft at Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.