Speed, Adrenaline, and Island Flair: Lamborghini and Net-A-Porter are New Partners of the Berenberg German Polo Masters on Sylt
The Berenberg German Polo Masters Sylt, established by Jo Schneider, has been the polo highlight of the season since 1998. The international polo community and vacationers to the island of Sylt come together each year for the traditional tournament in Keitum in early August, which is one of the island’s top summer highlights. Both a sporting and society event – the German Polo Masters truly packs a punch. Adrenaline and fighting spirit unite with Nordic island flair and a relaxed vacation feeling.
This year, teams with international line-ups and team handicaps of up to +8 goals are participating. Highly competitive battles, fast-paced polo action, and close matches are all guaranteed. In addition to well-known players that are extremely familiar with the polo grounds in Keitum, there will also be many new faces playing in the German Polo Masters for the very first time. For example, the ambitious polo player Estelle Wagner (0) from Luxembourg will be making her debut in the Sylt polo classic as part of Team König Immobilien Sylt. The same goes for the second woman of the tournament, Susi Rosenkranz (0), who will take to the saddle for Team Mr. Porter alongside the Argentinian 6-goaler Eduardo Anca, who has the highest handicap of the tournament.
The title sponsor Berenberg will be starting a well-rehearsed team. The father-son duo Jo (0) and Sven (+3) Schneider as well as the Argentinian 4-goaler Tatu Gomez have played together often on Sylt and are perfectly attuned to each other. This year, the three will be supported by Peter Kienast (+1).
And Germany’s best polo player and long-term Sylt player Thomas Winter (+4) is also participating once again this year. Together with Matthias Grau (0) and Christian Grimme (0) as part of Team Lanson, he will be playing alongside two teammates from Hamburg that he knows very well and has already celebrated numerous victories with. Winter just recently won the Berenberg Polo-Derby at the end of June together with Matthias Grau, and captured the title with Christian Grimme during Hörnumer Beach Polo at the end of May. The fourth member of the team is Agustin Kronhaus (+3).
An important step for the tournament this year was Germany’s oldest private bank, Berenberg, taking over as title sponsor. Lamborghini and NET-A-PORTER, or more accurately, the men’s fashion division MR PORTER, are also coming to Sylt as new and exclusive partners. In addition, when it comes to the exhibitors in the white Pagoda tents, new brands will bring a refreshing and varied offering to the side of the playing field, including high-quality scarves and shawls from Mohini, jewelry from Perlensaison, hand-crafted outdoor furniture from BLOOM, designer furniture from YOMEI, and much more.
The New Title Sponsor Berenberg
Germany’s oldest private bank Berenberg is one of the longest-active and most important sponsors in the world of polo. Berenberg has been active in the sport for 15 years – and the private bank is taking on the position of title sponsor of the Sylt polo classic for the first time in 2015. Karsten Wehmeier, Director of Corporate Communication, Berenberg: “Polo and Berenberg have a long, close history together. The things that count during a polo match are also key to banking: speed, teamwork, and acting with foresight in a responsible manner. This is why we take great pleasure in being an active part of this wonderful sport. The Berenberg German Polo Masters on Sylt are a truly remarkable tournament on a truly remarkable island. We now look forward to hosting the event and working together with the Schneider family.”
Powerhouse: Automobili Lamborghini is a New, Exclusive Partner of the Berenberg German Polo Masters
This year, Automobili Lamborghini will also be an exclusive partner of the German Polo Masters in Keitum for the first time. The manufacturer of super cars from the North Italian town of Sant’Agata Bolognese will present its new icon, the Huracán LP 610-4, the successor to the legendary Gallardo.
In this context, pure, unadulterated design, functional comfort, and absolute luxury meet overwhelming power and outstanding performance – these characteristics are what make the Huracán a perfect match with the North Sea island Sylt and the German Polo Masters. Experience the uncompromising character and breathtaking beauty of the Lamborghini named after an unbeatable fighting bull during the entire tournament.
Glamorous: NET-A-PORTER.COM is also a New Partner
Since its founding in the year 2000, NET-A-PORTER.COM has been the first and the world’s largest online luxury shopping platform. The company is also an innovative pioneer: NET-A-PORTER reaches an international audience of nearly six million female luxury consumers. In the digital magazine “The Edit,” the exclusive print magazine “Porter,” and the social media platform “The Net Set,” NET-A-PORTER presents over 300 of the hottest designer brands in the world, like Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Stella McCartney, as well as over 130 additional beauty brands. In addition, all this also comes with outstanding customer service. NET-A-PORTER offers next-day delivery in Germany. Luxurious packaging, easy returns, and international personal shopping teams make NET-A-PORTER an unforgettable shopping experience. 24/7, 365 days a year.
Schedule
First Weekend – Matches begin starting at 2 p.m. | Doors open 1 p.m.
Friday, 24 July 2015
Saturday, 25 July 2015
Sunday, 26 July 2015
Matches during the Week – Matches begin starting at 2 p.m. | Doors open 1 p.m.
Tuesday, 28 July 2015
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Second Weekend – Matches begin starting at 2 p.m. | Doors open 1 p.m.
Friday, 31 July 2015
Saturday, 1 August 2015
Final Sunday – Matches begin starting at 1 p.m. | Doors open 12 p.m.
Sunday, 2 August 2015, Final Match with Subsequent Award Ceremony
The event location opens one hour before matches begin. The event’s organizer reserves the right to make changes to the schedule. Current information and any changes to the event schedule can be found atwww.polosylt.de.
From Argentina to Keitum
Approximately 120 Argentinian polo horses were transported across the Hindenburg Dam with the Deutsche Bahn’s SyltShuttle. The charismatic polo horses are high-performance athletes and were trained for many years for the world’s oldest team sport. The young horses grow up on the sweeping plains of the Argentinian pampas and are introduced to the sport when they are four. In this context, the young horses get used to the sport, the balls, and the polo mallets, and learn to “ride off of” each other. Each player has up to four or five horses, which are use one after the other for the chukkers (one period of the game). On the Berenberg German Polo Masters playing grounds, visitors can view the polo horses on the ponylines. The players ride from the ponylines to the 24,000-square-meter polo field. The polo field is tended to during the entire year just for this polo event – an enormous agricultural effort that would not be possible without help from the local Sylt population. During the tournament, the grass is cut down every two days using a mower with 28 blades and a working length of 4.5 meters to the point that the polo ball can roll as fast and accurately as possible and offers the best conditions for the fastest team sport.
Admittance
The visitor area will offer guests a variety of food and drink stands as well as numerous exhibitors with attractive shopping offers. Fun for the kids is also guaranteed in the complimentary Kids Club. A day pass includes the high-quality tournament magazine and parking, depending on the availability of parking spaces in the direct vicinity of the polo field. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash. Day passes can be purchased at the door (cash payments only).
Day pass (price based on the number of matches): 1 / 2 / 3 matches: 10 / 15 / 20 EUR per person
Children up to 12 years of age are admitted free of charge.
VIP Tickets
The VIP area will offer guests first-class catering with freshly-prepared delicacies as well as fine selection of drinks. VIP tickets include the high-quality tournament magazine and parking, depending on the availability of parking spaces in the direct vicinity of the polo field. Dogs (on a leash) are also permitted in the VIP area. VIP tickets can easily be purchased from the online shop or at the door (cash payments only). VIP tickets do not include Champagne or reserved seating.
VIP ticket Saturday, 1 August 2015 180 EUR/per person
VIP ticket Sunday, 2 August 2015 220 EUR/per person
>> Online Shop
Children up to 12 years of age admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
VIP tickets can be purchased prior to the event from the following locations:
Tourist Information Keitum
Gurtstieg 23
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
Directions
Arriving by Car: Drive from Westerland or Keitum toward Morsum. Cross the train tracks on Kreisstraße K117. You will find the entrance to the polo grounds approximately 200 meters beyond the crossing.
>> DB Sylt Shuttle Summer Schedule
Arriving by Bus: >> Bus Line 4
Arriving by the Nord-Ost-Seebahn: Walk approximately 500 meters from the Keitum train station.
>> NOB Schedule
Photos: Holger Widera