World-class players from six countries will be playing the St. Moritz 2016 Snow Polo World Cup on the last weekend in January. The teams in the world's only high-goal tournament on snow are even more balanced than last year; defending the title won't be easy for Team Cartier. Natural ice formation has begun on the lake.
When it comes to winning the St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup and thus the coveted Cartier Trophy, Team Cartier always has a say. Captain Spencer McCarthy (+1) has put together an all-English team: With Nacho Gonzalez (+6) and Chris Hyde (+6), he and Charlie Wooldridge (+2) know two snow veterans at their side. Chris Hyde is currently regarded as arguably the best snow polo player in the world; he dominated the tournament in 2015.
However, defending the title will not be easy for him and Team Cartier in 2016. The American Melissa Ganzi (0) and her team complete the top-class field of participants. She is one of the few women who play polo at a high goal level. Together with local Tito Gaudenzi (+2) and Argentinean professionals Augustin “Tincho” Merlos (+9) and Juan Bollini (+5), she forms the Badrutt's Palace Hotel team.
Melissa Ganzi is not only a very good player, she is also considered an important promoter of polo sports worldwide. After 2015, Italian Rommy Gianni (+1), who lives in Monte Carlo, is returning to St. Moritz. With Argentines Dario Musso (+7) and Frankie Menendez (+6), he has brought two professionals with big names to his Maserati team.
Cedric Schweri (0) was also there in 2015: As captain of Team Perrier-Jouët, he represents the host country Switzerland together with his compatriot Luca Zindel (+1) and the two Brazilians Aluisio Rosa (+7). The traditional French company Champagne Perrier-Jouët is new to this team as the fourth team sponsor of the tournament.
Strong Swiss and good ice formation
With Tito Gaudenzi, Luca Zindel and Cedric Schweri, three of the currently strongest Swiss polo players are coming to St. Moritz. It was only in September that they took a very good fifth place together with Fabio Maier at the F.I.P Arena Polo European Championships in Baku. Tito Gaudenzi grew up in Silvaplana near St. Moritz.
The first layer of ice formed on Lake St. Moritz just in time before last weekend. However, you are not yet allowed to enter the lake. Only in around two weeks will specialists be able to measure the ice for the first time and test the ice quality. Those responsible will then decide on the start of construction for the extensive infrastructure. It is not expected before the beginning of January.
As in the previous year, media representatives from all parts of the world will report from St. Moritz. For the first time, the American Internet station Chukker.tv is webcasting all games from St. Moritz live on the Internet.
Advance sales of VIP tickets are going very well. VIP catering tickets from celebrity chef Reto Mathis for Saturday and Sunday as well as for the gala at Badrutt's Palace Hotel on Saturday evening are once again in high demand. A further surge in demand is expected before Christmas.
As always, access to the polo area on Lake St. Moritz is open to everyone and free of charge. This also includes the seating stands and the public “Plazza da Polo”, where Badrutt's Palace Hotel and local hosts have something for everyone.
VIP packages at www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com/tickets-and-merchandise