2nd Annual Ibiza Beach Polo Cup
Words by Louise Sandberg
The second annual Ibiza Beach Polo Cup took place on Playa d’En Bossa, Ibiza from 14 – 18 June. Many of the worlds top men and women players took part including Adolfo Cambiaso, Martin Valent, Julio Novillo Astrada and Marianella Castagnola, which helped to draw huge crowds to both the VIP and public areas. Add in high end sponsors, world class DJ’s, fashion shows and famous faces from the island and the result was a very seductive and glamorous polo event very in keeping with the style of the party island of Ibiza.
The organisers had worked tirelessly in preparation for the event to create the flattest and best possible surface for the polo with careful water spreading between matches and thorough leveling. This made for a much faster-than-normal beach polo and created a visual feast for spectators.
The men’s section had 6 teams and the women’s section 4 teams. Despite hotly contested heats during the first few days it was no surprise that Adolfo Cambiaso’s team ‘La Dolfina Polo Ranch’ went through to the final and after a stunning match came out with the trophy. Cambiaso showed what a master he is even at this more unpredictable style of polo. In the women’s section Marianella Castagnola’s team Casino de Ibiza came out winners with a tough display of tactical women’s polo.
The organisers, Gabriel Iglesias and 4 Polo Management continue in their quest to bring polo to unusual parts of the world. For polo and Ibiza, as well as a platform for international sponsors, this event has shown how much great interest there is in the sport at new and unusual locations, and the next annual installment promises to be an even bigger event.
Final Teams – Men’s
La Dolfina Polo Ranch
Edd Stobart 1
Nico San Roman 1
Adolfo Cambiaso 10
Nassau
Christian Braun 1
Tonete Ayesa 3
Ignacio Tillous 8
Final Teams – Women’s
Casino De Ibiza
Anneliesse Partness 2
Debbie Houghton 1
Marianela Castagnola 9
Fashion TV
Jacqueline Sanders 2
Louise Sandberg 2
Charlotte Sweeney 8