World Snow Polo Championship

World-Class Players, Teams Annouced For World Snow Polo Championship In Aspen

By Arianna Delin, Sharon Robb for Aspen Valley Polo Club

Some of the world’s best players, including top American player Nic Roldan, will compete in the Dec. 17-18 World Snow Polo Championship at Rio Grande Park in Aspen.

For the fourth consecutive year, Melissa and Marc Ganzi, co-founders of Aspen Valley Polo Club, along with polo ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina, will host the star-studded event.

Figueras is one of the sport’s most popular and well-recognized players in the world.

Audi, FlexJet, St. Regis and defending champion US Polo Assn. return as major team sponsors in North America’s only snow polo tournament.

Last year’s winner U.S. Polo Assn.

The teams and rosters are:

Audi: Grant Ganzi/Marc Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan.

Flexjet: Melissa Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Jesse Bray.

St. Regis: Bernie Uechtritz, Carlitos Gracida, Nacho Figueras.

U.S. Polo Assn.: Bash Kazi, Ricky Cooper, Tommy Biddle.

Last year’s tournament winner was U.S. Polo Assn. with Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan and Juancito Bollini. In front of an overflow crowd and soldout VIP tent, U.S. Polo Assn. defeated Flexjet, 10-5.

Roldan was named MVP for the third straight year. In the consolation game, ChukkerTV defeated

St. Regis. Bernie Uechtritz was named MVP.

The glitz, glamour and excitement of one of the world’s top snow polo tournaments is a major attraction not only for the local community but fans from all over the world that fly in for the breathtaking scenery, venue and great polo action.

Nic Roldan. Photos by ChukkerTV

St. Regis will sponsor the presentation of teams and tournament draw at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.

On Dec. 17, Saturday and Dec. 18, Sunday, Rio Grande Park will host the action. Rio Grande Park is Aspen’s largest multi-functional park within the city’s limits and just minutes away from the St. Regis Aspen Resort.

Also on Saturday, fans and media will get the chance to meet the players at noon before the opening two games begin at 1 p.m. On Sunday, the consolation and championship games will be held beginning at 1 p.m.

To purchase tickets, go to www.worldsnowpolo.net.