Every year since 1985, more than 25,000 people have travelled to the glamorous Swiss ski resort for the Snow Polo World Cup, played on its frozen lake. Held over the last weekend of January, the event involves the best polo players going head-to-head in three days of intense competition. This year, the number of attendees was even higher, as the 40th anniversary of the Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz promised to be an unforgettable one.
On the eve of the inaugural weekend in 1985, a storm broke out, the snow fell constantly and the perfectly prepared pitch was covered with almost a metre of fresh powder. With impressive efficiency, the entire team managed to clear an 80×40-metre pitch within two hours and so the first tournament took place as planned. Against the odds, another sport was born in St Moritz. What began as a bold experiment quickly became a highly anticipated fixture on the international polo calendar, attracting the cream of professional players over the years: from Alfonso Pieres, Pablo McDonough, David “Pelon” Stirling and Alejandro “Piki” Diaz-Alberdi, Oliver Hipwood, the Heguys and Nic Roldan to Juan-Martin Nero, Chris Hyde, Guillermo “Sapo” Caset and Nacho Figueras.
Nearly 28,000 people attended the 40th Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz last weekend. © Photo Swiss/ Giancarlo Cattaneo.
The Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz is not just about sport but about glamour too. It’s considered one of the key destinations on the billionaires’ social circuit, and one can expect the ultra-chic and beautiful to converge on the resort every year for the tournament. In addition to the top-class polo matches on the frozen lake, for the 40thanniversary of Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz, organisers put together several other events, including an exciting show on the field, a big get-together in the Polo Village and, as always, glamorous social events.
“This 40th anniversary is an incredibly important milestone for all of us,” says founding father Gaudenzi. “It is a very special opportunity to look back on the impressive development of the tournament and at the same time to celebrate the future of snow polo. We are very much looking forward to sharing this fantastic event with our partners, players and visitors.”
The polo played at St Moritz last weekend was a thrilling display of skill and precision, with the players manoeuvring their horses at full speed and executing flawless shots in the dazzling alpine setting. © Photo Swiss.
In an echo of what happened 40 years ago, snow fell heavily across Lake St Moritz on the morning of Finals Day last weekend. Gaudenzi laughed off the thick white blanket enveloping the field, saying, “It is called snow polo for a reason!” Now as then, the super-efficient organisers swept the snow from the polo field making it ready for what turned out to be a brilliant Final worthy of the 40th anniversary of this magnificent occasion.
Kusnacht Practice and Azerbaijan – Land of Fire competed in an utterly gripping game. The lead changed hands several times as the players were driven on by the passionate full house and the sun which was now beating down on the field. Kusnacht Practice eventually triumphed over Azerbaijan – Land of Fire by the narrowest of margins: 5-4½.
The winners, Team Kusnacht Practice, secured a well-deserved victory through a flawless combination of teamwork, strategy, and exceptional horsemanship. © Christian Sommer.
Afterwards, Gaudenzi exclaimed, “What a finish! The sun came out and we were treated to fantastic matches with an unbelievable Final with a completely full house, plus ecstatic spectators and wonderful polo. St. Moritz at its best!” Find out more at Snow Polo St Moritz.
Author: Julia Pasarón
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