The 33rd Snow Polo World Cup on Lake St. Moritz is a piece of real Engadin. Countless local experts and helpers are on duty and a great many locals come to the lake with the international guests. Local produce is used in the VIP tent and an Upper Engadin is also on duty on the playing field. As always, everyone is welcome to the tournament: Admission, including grandstand seats, is traditionally free.
In terms of sport, no other tournament can match the St. Moritzer Snow Polo World Cup: It is the only “high goal” tournament and therefore attracts a number of world-class players every year. Despite the 1,800 meters above sea level, the game is played on a field that is more than 200 meters long, which physically demands everything from horses and riders. The pad also stands for the best sport: “The place with artificial snow is a dream. The compact, regular and level surface allows snow polo of the highest class and speed,” enthuses local professional player Tito Gaudenzi after his first training session at St.
Moritzersee. Tito Gaudenzi may be the only local player, but by no means the only local player in the tournament. “Without local support and the many local experts and helpers, we would never be able to hold the Snow Polo World Cup,” says Tito's father, Reto Gaudenzi, founder and CEO of the tournament, categorically. “Wherever possible, we use products that we purchase from local suppliers,” explains Reto Mathis, who supervises VIP catering for the sponsors' guests. The Pontresina dairy, the Hatecke butcher shop or the St.
Moritzer Bäckerei Bad has been one of the tournament's suppliers for years. “Our guests realize that we use local products and they really appreciate that.” “Year after year, we meet guests who did not know us before at our cheese counter in the VIP tent. Many of them then become our customers,” confirms Hansjürg Wüthrich from the Pontresina dairy. “We feel that the quality and regionality of our products are becoming more important year after year. The guests want to know what we serve, where it comes from and how it was made.” You naturally meet most locals outside the VIP tent.
As always, admission to the tournament is free and guests and locals mingle at the restaurant stands, bars and public restaurants. The kitchen is also starred in public areas: the Badrutt's Palace, Kulm, Carlton, Laudinella and Crystal hotels are jointly responsible for catering for the audience. In addition to high quality, they pay attention to very fair prices: The main courses are available for 15 to 18 francs. If you want something a bit more comfortable, you can treat yourself to a reserved grandstand seat, a warm blanket, a glass of champagne and a canapé in the new “Chukker Club” for 50 francs.
The tournament starts on Friday and lasts until Sunday. The games start at 12:00 and 14:15.
VIP and Chukker Club tickets are available atwww.snowpolo-stmoritz.com/tickets available — the offer is limited