Today H.M. The Queen doña Sofía has presided the christening ceremony of ESP 97, the second boat of Desafío Español 2007, built in Alginet (Valencia).

Some ware expecting a rather symbolic and ceremonial event, given the fact the yacht had already been sailing and training together with ESP 88 for more than two months.

In fact, the ceremony wich took place at the base of Desafío Español was held in the presence of many dignitaries.

in addition to the queen doña Sofía, were present the president of Generalitat Valenciana, Francisco Camps, the Public Administration Minister, Jordi Sevilla, the Government Representative, Antonio Berbabé or the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barberá.

The new boat, after being blessed by the Archbishop of Valencia, Monseñor Agustín García Gasco y Vicente, was christened by H. M. the Queen, who cut the ribbon holding the bottle on a mostly uncovered (the keel was simply behind a shroud with the logo of the new sponsor and no big efforts were made to hide it).