Cartier and Badrutt's Palace Hotel are the first two winners of the 2017 Snow Polo World Cup. Almost three thousand spectators watched two exciting games at temperatures below freezing but bright sun, which ended with clear favorites victories.
In the first game of the day, last year's finalists Team Cartier played against Team Perrier-Jouët for the President's Cup. Spectators had travelled from all over the Alps and beyond, enjoying the glorious Engadin sun and the world-famous St. Moritz hospitality. They were looking forward to two exciting polo matches and were not disappointed.
Both teams played strongly. The Swiss team captain of Perrier-Jouët, Fabio Meier, scored 1-0 with an impressively strong blow.
The lead did not last: An omnipresent Chris Hyde electrified his team Cartier, which led to two excellently scored goals in short succession.
In the end, teamwork prevailed: Team Cartier maintained the lead for the rest of the season. Together, dynamic Argentinian Dario Musso and powerhouse Chris Hyde lined up one goal after the other and sealed the game with the final score of 7:44.
Kanter victory for Melissa Ganzis Badrutt's Palace Hotel
The second Badrutt's Palace Hotel Cup game between Badrutt's Palace Hotel and Maserati continued the great polo game on frozen Lake St. Moritz. Team Badrutt's Palace Hotel was once again led by American Melissa Ganzi, who made her Snow Polo debut in St. Moritz last year and wanted to prove her skills once again this year on Lake St. Moritz.
Their opponents were four members of the Beh family from Malaysia, who were eager to set an example in their first participation in the St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup. They obviously had fun and enjoyed the game in this fantastic and special location.
Team Badrutt's Palace Hotel dominated from the start. Argentinian 8-goaler Alejandro Novillo Astrada scored his first of four goals shortly after the first throw-in on an excellent assist from Melissa Ganzi. At the start of the second Chukka, he scored his second goal.
But the Beh family was determined not to perish without a fight. Chevy Beh responded with a ball that rolled through the goal. After another goal from Tito Gaudenzi, it was 4-1 in favour of Badrutt's Palace Hotel at half time.
Much to the Beh Quartet's chagrin, the Badrutt's Palace Hotel team continued to dominate in the second half of the game. Three more goals were recorded on the scoreboard and the game ended 7:1 in their favor.
A beaming Melissa Ganzi said after the game: “I'm delighted with our win, the field was in perfect condition and it was a pleasure to play on. We have to win tomorrow — I hope we make it to the final!”
On Saturday, Badrutt's Palace Hotel will play against Perrier-Jouët (12:00 h) and Cartier against Maserati (14:15 h).
Press images from the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2017 are available for free download for editorial use: www.flickr.com/photos/snowpolostmoritz/