Royals visit the Cup

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia attend AC event in Madrid

Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía visited the America's Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup trophies in Madrid on Tuesday evening.

Their Majesties were accompanied by the Prime Minister, Jose Luís Rodríguez Zapatero; the Minister of Public Administrations, Jordi Sevilla; the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Magdalena Álvarez Arza; the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Francisco Camps; the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barberá; the president of Alinghi, Ernesto Bertarelli; and the CEO of the organisers of the 32nd America's Cup, Michel Bonnefous.

"The 32nd America's Cup in Valencia is an opportunity for all of us," His Majesty said, offering his congratulations to "the organisers, the sponsors and private and public institutions that have worked so hard to make this event possible". His Majesty also paid tribute to the "sporting spirit and teamwork", ingredients that are so necessary for success in the America's Cup.

The Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts of 2006, which begin with the first races of Act 10 on Thursday, when the Defender Alinghi, faces the Spanish challenger, Desafío Español 2007, are the first opportunity to see the new Port America's Cup, the great 'stadium by the sea' which is now home to the competition.

It is here, in the Port America's Cup, where the public will enjoy the full spirit of the greatest competition in yachting as 11 challengers race for the right to face Alinghi in the 32nd America's Cup Match.