The World Polo Tour, the international ranking of polo, announced the changes that are due in 2016, following the committee meeting.
There will be a total of 52 competitions worldwide thoroghout the year, in the race that will search for the world’s top polo players. Many news are coming up, among them two new rankings – the Masters and the subregional rankings.
The 2016 World Polo Tour will be featured as follows:
– Masters: Just like the Masters of the ATP Tour, this new ranking will be comprised by the Triple Crown in Argentina, the only high goal competition that’s not played with patrons. In addition, more points will be awarded for the Hurlingham Open and the Argentine Polo Open Championship.
– Brand new subregional rankings: These will be as follows:
1) Dominican Republic
2) Low goal and medium goal – Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa/Oceania
– No more snow polo in snow polo: The ranking for snow polo won’t be anymore in 2016. The World Polo Cup on Snow, in St. Moritz as well as the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship award points for the general ranking
– Grand Slam: The Argentine Polo Open Championship leaves the Grand Slam category to be introduced to the Masters. The Grand Slam competitions will feature the comeback of the Gold Cup (Sotogrande), which will have more points. The US Open and the Gold Cup for the British Open will remain in the category.
– WPT Championship Cup: The Tortugas Open and the Hurlingham Open are also leaving to take their place at the Masters; the WPT Championship Cup will award more points to the Queen’s Cup quarter finals.
– WPT Cup: There won’t be any changes with regards to the number of tournaments in this category (a total of eight). The Dubai Gold Cup will be awarded with more points, while the Warwickshire Cup and the Pacific Coast Open will low their points.
– Challenge Cup: Two brand new competitions will be entering this category, both rated at 18-goals – the Duke of Sutherland Trophy, at Cowdray Park Polo Club and the Cote d’Azur Cup, at International Polo Club in St. Tropez. The HH President of UAE Cup leaves the category, and the USPA National Cup, at Grand Champions Polo Club, will have more points. Less points will be awarded to the Brazil Gold Cup, St. Moritz World Polo Cup on Snow (St. Moritz) and America Cup (Santa Barbara).
Now, let’s see how the ranking finished in 2015. Two La Dolfina players, Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero were honored as the Professional MVPs in November and December, respectively. With regards to the amateurs, the MVPs were two young and talented boys – Joaquin Avendaño (November) and Camilo Castagnola (December)
Adolfo Cambiaso – who else? – remains at the top of every ranking, as the world’s best player. In addition, the Top Five is literally “invaded” by all the members of La Dolfina – Juan Martin Nero (2), Pelon Stirling (4) and Pablo MacDonough (5). The only “stranger” of the Top Five is Facundo Pieres, who is Adolfo’s runner up.
With regards to the Top Ten – both for professionals and in general – the three Pieres have consecutive positions: Gonzalito (6), Nicolás (7) and Polito (8). The Top Ten is closed by the two brand new 10-goalers – Hilario Ulloa (9) and Guillermo Caset Jr. (10).
The Amateur ranking is led by Bob Jornayvaz; the Top Five is completed by Rashid Albwardy (2), Julian Mannix (3), Victor Vargas (4) and Top Srivaddhanaprabha (5).
Last, but not least, honors to the best pro and amateur, respectively, go to Adolfo Cambiaso and
Top Srivaddhanaprabha
2016 is just around the corner, and the expectations are the best. It will be a strong and competitive year for polo, and the World Polo Tour is ready to kick off these next twelve months that promise to be spectacular. Stay tuned!
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