14th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel 2016
Kitzbühel (POLO+10 – 22/12/2015) – In January, the tradition continues with the 14th edition of the Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup in Kitzbühel. Six international teams, including players from eight nations, will compete against one other on the Münichauer Wiese from 14-17 January 2016. This means that team play, speed and dynamic top-class sport, will be on display in front of the glittering and wintry backdrop of the Wilder Kaiser. An international audience and many celebrities have announced their attendance yet again.
The 2016 event kick off will commence with the team presentation on Thursday evening, 14th January, in front of the Hotel Zur Tenne in the heart of Kitzbühel. This will be followed by a Welcome Party at the Casino Kitzbühel. On Friday the first chukkas will take place on the snow-covered pitch starting at noon. The spectators will enjoy three matches per day that will be free of entry to the public area.
The social highlight of the event will once again be the Polo Player’s Night on Saturday evening, which traditionally takes place in the VIP tent next to the polo field (by invitation only). Gourmet dinner, live music and DJs will ensure a unique evening. Sunday will feature the final matches, followed by the award ceremony. Lifestyle Events organizers Frank Bahrenburg and Tito Gaudenzi are in full preparation to yet again offer a unique event experience. “The pitch is prepared for all year round. As soon as the first snow falls, we start to mill the pitch on a daily basis to prepare it for the snow polo chukkas. The safety of the horses and players come first.” The horses will arrive in Kitzbühel several days before the tournament to acclimatize and best prepare for the event.
Polo is known to be the oldest team sport in the world. According to ancient sources, Persian rulers were hooked on playing polo as early as 600 B.C. Today, polo is played in over 90 countries across the world and the sport continues to enjoy enormous popularity round the globe. Polo is played not just on grass, but also on snow and sand. One of the reasons for the growing fascination for the sport of polo is its attractive mixture of playing technique, speed and team spirit.
Program:
Officials
Victor Beckers | Speaker (GER)
Jan-Erik Franck | Speaker (GBR)
Mark Holmes | Referee (GBR)
Teams:
Team Valartis Bank (11)
1) Bash Kazi 1 (USA)
2) Pelon Escapite 7 (USA)
3) Reto Mario “Tito“ Gaudenzi 3 (USA/CH)
Team E&V (+12)
1) Jonathan Tidswell 0 (GBR)
2) Alec Banner-Eve 4 (GBR)
3) Johnny Good 8 (GBR)
Team Istra Domizil / Blackdove (11)
1) Sebastian Schneberger 2 (GER)
2) Philip de Groot 2 (NLD)
3) Julio Novillo Astrada 7 (ARG)
Team Bernd Gruber (11)
1) Steffi von Pock 1 (GER)
2) Eva Brühl 3 (GER)
3) Adrian Laplacette jr. 7 (ARG)
Team Audi (10)
1) Magnus Kaminiarz 1 (GER)
2) Patrick Maleitzke 4 (GER)
3) Horacio Fernandez Llorente 5 (ARG)
Team KCC / Gym Entry (10)
1) Wolfram Trudo Knoefel 1 (GER)
2) Agustin Kronhaus 4 (ARG)
3) Thomas Winter 5 (GER)
Photo: Lifestyle Events / Reinhardt & Sommer