2011 St Moritz Polo world Cup on Snow

St Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow

The 27th St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow will take place from 27 to 30 January 2011. For the first time, this will be a Nations Cup, in which patrons represent their countries of origin. Organiser St. Moritz Polo AG is hopeful that matches between countries will win a higher profile for the sport of polo. Pile on excitement for the spectators in St. Moritz, and the tournament will surely net greater attention worldwide. The line-up of definite entrants already includes a Swiss team. As in previous years, the matches will be played over four days, Thursday to Saturday, each with two qualifiers. The two finals will then be held on the Sunday.

 

Laketop responsibilities reorganised

In June 2010 the organiser, St. Moritz Polo AG, felt obliged to cancel the January 2011 polo tournament for the time being. Decisions by the local authority and the White Turf Racing Association, on which the staging of the event depended, were still pending. After jointly reviewing the regulations and technical safety rules governing winter eventsLive on Lake St. Moritz, the parties concerned reached an amicable solution in October. See-Infra, the association responsible for infrastructure on the lake, has finally commenced operations and paved the way for the polo tournament to go ahead. The Lake Commission has assumed responsibility for safety and commissioned a reassessment of the use of the lake. Cooperation with St. Moritz as a destination, and its tourist board, is being increased. This will link the world’s most famous winter polo tournament more closely to its host region.

 

Pioneering infrastructure plan

Last year’s polo tournament initiated its new energy policy. This year follows on logically from that innovation, seeking to conserve Lake St. Moritz and its environment. Solar energy will again be used this year. Outside lighting at night will be entirely solar-powered, while infrastructure on the ice will be more evenly spread. To minimise energy consumption, only one tent will be heated this year. It will be open to the public, and include exhibition space and information desks. From 2011, there is no more parking on the lake. A new traffic plan directs access to the polo tournament and its parking facilities. For the first time, the organiser of the ensuing horse race on the lake, the White Turf Racing Association, has participated in planning the whole laketop infrastructure. This makes better use of synergies, reducing costs of infrastructure and optimising energy use.

 

Schellenursli drops in again

Last year’s tournament – motto “Engadin, Graubünden” – successfully focused on involving local partners. Schellenursli, conceived by Swiss artist Alois Carigiet under the patronage of our partner Aroma Productions, graced the decor. Regional culinary treats awaited visitors in the Hospitality Tent and on the piazza in front of Hotel Steffani, courtesy of Reto Mathis and his crew. International visitors and locals alike appreciated and praised the Engadin ambience at the 26th St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow. In keeping with sustainability, St. Moritz Polo AG is retaining the same motto this year and offering a high-standard, locally based event for visitors to the 27th edition of the world’s most famous winter polo tournament.

 

The St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow is the world’s most prestigious winter polo tournament on snow. Four high-goal teams with handicaps between 15 and 18 goals compete on the frozen Lake St. Moritz each year. The organiser of the tournament, St. Moritz Polo Corporation, is a leading international expert in the field of equestrianism. The services provided cover the conception, planning and execution of polo eventsLive. The team that manages St. Moritz Polo AG has in-depth knowledge of the equestrian world, tournament organisation, infrastructure, hospitality, sponsorship and marketing, acquired over the last 25 years. With the goal of the establishment and embodiment of the highest of standards in the equestrian world, as well as the welfare of animals and riders around the globe, St. Moritz Polo Corporation offers its know-how to interested tournaments and organisers at home and abroad. At present the corporation’s advisers are involved in various projects in several countries.