Italian Rommy Gianni's Cartier team won the St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup 2017. In the final game, the Badrutt's Palace Hotel team defeated by American Melissa Ganzi with Swiss Tito Gaudenzi 7:4. In the small final, the Swiss brothers Fabio and Luca Meier and their team Perrier-Jouët narrowly secured their only victory 4-5 against the Malaysian team Maserati. Around 15,000 viewers over three days represent a record.
At the end of the three-day tournament, Peter was once again visibly well disposed towards the organizer, Reto Gaudenzi: The sun was shining uninterrupted again on the final day. As a result, the snow conditions were absolutely perfect; a quick and exciting polo game delighted the 7,000 spectators on the final day. Spectators cheered on their teams, sipped Perrier-Jouët and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere as the Maserati limousines drove guests and players out onto the frozen lake.
On Saturday evening, the guests attended an extravagant gala at Badrutt's Palace Hotel, accompanied by dance and music from a group from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan hosts the Polo World Cup in September and the “City of Fire” is known for its friendly people and hospitality.
Gala guests were later offered a fashion show where models presented the truly breathtaking Magicien Cartier jewelry collection. Those who didn't have to go on the pitch the next day turned night into day at King's Club.
Quick and entertaining: Sunday's finals
In the first game of the day, Team Perrier-Jouët fought against Team Maserati for the La Martina Cup. In the end, Team Perrier-Jouët won the title 5:4 in a game whose outcome would definitely be close. Fabio Meier acknowledged after the game that the encounter was just as tough as the score suggests. “Maserati played well, played aggressively and they didn't make things easy for us at all. That's why I'm incredibly happy that we won. I think we played really well as a team over the three days.”
The sun was still shining over the Engadin as the match began for the coveted trophy that the winners of the tournament would take home. Team Cartier won the Cartier Trophy in the final match against Team Badrutt's Palace Hotel. The final game was just as exciting as all the other hard-fought games in the three days. As a novelty, the entire game was filmed with a drone with a special permit from Engadin Airport. The first Chukka remained goalless, with two teams that were on equal footing in attack and defense.
But the tide turned in the second Chukka; Team Cartier proved their superiority with three goals from Chris Hyde and Dario Musso with just one goal conceded by Alejandro Novillo Astrada for Team Badrutt's Palace Hotel. Now the Argentinean goalscorer genius was completely unleashed.
Determined not to sit idly by as Cartier worked, Team Badrutt's Palace Hotel came back after halftime and quickly scored two goals to equalize 3:3. Charlie Wooldridge from Team Cartier then put his name on the top scorers list, and towards the end of the third Chukka, Cartier led again.
In the last Chukka, both teams did everything they could to win - but only Team Cartier was able to fully develop its firepower with three goals in a row. Alejandro Novillo Astrada scored once again for Badrutt's Palace Hotel, but it wasn't enough anymore. At the final whistle, it was 7:4 for Cartier.
Chris Hyde most valuable player
On Saturday, the teams Badrutt's Palace Hotel and Perrier-Jouët crossed their blades in the first game; the latter was outnumbered by the favored team Cartier the day before and wanted to prove their skills. Once again, Team led Badrutt's Palace Hotel from the start. The early lead combined with many goals only narrowly missed by the opponent team Perrier-Jouët culminated in a 6:2 victory and a place in the final game for the Badrutt's Palace Hotel team.
In the second Saturday game, Team Cartier, which had the 2016 winners Rommy Gianni and Dario Musso, in their own ranks, prevailed over Team Maserati in the Deutsche Bank Wealth Management Challenge and thus secured their participation in the final.
The polo bonanza began on Friday, January 27, with two qualifying games under bright sunshine. Chris “The Prof” Hyde from Team Cartier described the excellent conditions with the words “the best ever and the game was really fast.” In the first game of the day, last year's runners-up, Team Cartier, met Team Perrier-Jouët. Team Cartier returned to its former size. They led throughout and sealed the game with a 7:4 victory.
This was followed by the Beh family, who played as Team Maserati against the terrific team Badrutt's Palace Hotel. Thanks to the dynamic duo of Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Jesse Bray, the Badrutt's Palace Hotel team dominated from the start and won outstandingly 7:1.
As the tournament came to an end on Sunday after the final games, 15,000 spectators enjoyed outstanding snow polo and enjoyed excellent Swiss hospitality. Chris Hyde was presented with the prize for the most valuable player in front of 180 media professionals - he is now a six-time winner in St. Moritz and immediately took home the trophy for the best horse of the tournament. Dario Musso from Team Cartier simply summed up the mood at the end of the day: “I'll see you next year!”
Teams from the St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup
Team Cartier
- Rommy Gianni +1 ITA
- Charlie Wooldridge +2 ENG
- Chris Hyde +6 ENG
- Dario Musso +7 ARG
Team Badrutt's Palace Hotel
- Melissa Ganzi 0 United States
- Jesse Bray +5 USA
- Alejandro Novillo Astrada +8 ARG
- Tito Gaudenzi +2 SUI
Team Maserati
- James Beh +1 MAS
- Joevy Beh +5 MAS
- Chevy Beh +5 MAS
- Garvy Beh +5 MAS
Team Perrier-Jouet
- Fabian Bolanterio +5 ARG
- Luca Meier +1 SUI
- Adrian Laplacette sn +2 ARG (1st game - due to injury of Luca Meier)
- Lucas Labat +7 ARG
- Fabio Meier +1 SUI
Umpires
- Oliver Ellis, Head Umpire, GBR
- Tim Keyte, Umpire, NZL
- Marcelo Garrahan, Umpire, ARG