African Diaspora Maritime is back

After the African Diaspora Maritime failed to gain entry into the 2013 America’s Cup, prompting litigation and a settlement with Golden Gate Yacht Club, the USA organization is back in the news as they reveal their latest intentions. The CBS affiliate in Baltimore provides this report:

African Diaspora Maritime is bringing the first-ever predominantly African-American sailing to the city with the hopes of winning the America’s Cup and inspiring young people around the world along the way.

“This is the chance for us to change the conversation in America with Baltimore leading the way,” said African Diaspora Maritime director Charles Kithcart.

As a member of the 1992 America’s Cup winning team, Kithcart knows what it takes to win. But his vision for African Diaspora Maritime’s sailing team goes far beyond what happens in the water.

“The goal besides just the racing is to reach out to the communities that need support, that need vision, that need a way to get people more involved in a wide variety of topics,” Kithcart said.

The plan is for the Baltimore-based team to be easily accessible to young people, giving them an opportunity to learn. African Diaspora Maritime’s program will not only teach the sport of sailing, but also the math, science and engineering behind the new technologies of sailing.

“These skills are going to be needed to expand the knowledge of these young people in their futures, even if they choose to not continue with competitive sailing,” Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford.

African Diaspora Maritime is hoping to introduce yachting to a new audience and show the world how sports and community can affect change.

“What we envision happening is that with this team acting just like a Jamaican bobsled team, people from around America are going to focus in on Maryland and see how we are doing things,” Kithcart said. “And if we do the things that we should with this team and reach out to people and get as many people as possible involved, we are going to be a template for the things that can change in this country.”

Editor’s note: We are unaware of what role Kithcart had in the 1992 America’s Cup, nor are we aware of whether his intent is to be involved in the 2024 event. Below is an additional report by WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore:

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on by March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in Summer/Fall 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)

Training timeline: www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2022/04/21/training-calendar-for-37th-americas-cup/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Source: America’s Cup Event Limited