Gstaad dresses in the colours of China!
This year’s edition of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, taking place on the Gstaad-Saanen airport field from 18-21 August, is set to bring a brand new experience for spectators, as for the first time ever the event welcomes a team from China. The beautiful grounds of the airfield will not only be transformed into the hallowed polo pitch but will also follow a red and gold colour theme to honour the Middle Kingdom. Off the pitch the village will be joining in with the spirit of the tournament continuing with a full red and gold colour renovation.
Team Hublot will be led by Mr Shilai Liu, owner of the Tang Polo Club in Beijing, who has accepted Pierre Genecand’s invitation to play in the Swiss Prealps. The team will face stiff competition from Team Gstaad Palace, led by Juan Pepa (ARG), Team Banque Eric Sturdza, led by Cedric Schweri (SUI), and finally ‘Team Polo Friends’, led by co-captains Piero Dillier (SUI) and Andy Bihrer (SUI).
The teams include an array of world-class players to ensure that spectators are treated to an impressive display of skills and fiercely competitive matches. Polo Club Gstaad is thrilled to be welcoming two of the world’s top players, Marcos di Paola (ARG) playing for Team Hublot with an impressive handicap of 8, and Olavo Novaes (BRA) with a handicap of 7 playing for Team Banque Eric Sturdza. Team Gstaad Palace includes an even spread with all 4 players bearing a handicap from 2 to 5. Finally, the spectators’ interest for Team Polo Friends will be the two Captains, Bihrer and Dillier, showing off their intricate skills in action.
The festivities begin on Thursday, 18 August at 11 am with the official polo village opening and the action on pitch getting underway with the first two matches of the tournament being played. The spectacular Grand parade will take place on Gstaad Promenade on Friday, 19 August at 4 pm, the streets will be flooded with players and their horses, officials in carefully decorated horses-carriages and marching bands. On Saturday, 20 August matches will resume at 1.30 pm where the horse and rider combinations will battle through the semi-final matches vying for a place in the prestigious final.
In order to celebrate the venue with their guests from China, the VIP tent will be dressed with Chinese decorations and Gstaad Palace will serve Chinese specialities throughout the event, including the highly anticipated Polo Night on Saturday evening. On Sunday, 21 August, the unmissable final matches will start at 1.30 pm which will see one team crowned the winners of the respected trophy.
Aside from the world-class polo, guests are treated to entertainment off the pitch too, with a fantastic glider air show presented by Fly 7 ahead of the matches on Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm.
The polo tournament is open to the public and is free of charge. Children will not be forgotten and will enjoy a special child care facility, the “Kinder-Paradise” offering lots of fun activities on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am until 5.30 pm. To celebrate the new partnerships with Garage Zénith S.A., Ferrari Official Dealer, a special VVIP parking will be organised for those wanting the VIP experience for their Ferrari cars.
Teams:
Hublot (13)
Shilai Liu Chin (0)
Marcos di Paola (8)
Antonio Menard (4)
Aiawatt Srivaddhanaprabha/Hugo Lewis (1)
Banque Eric Sturzda SA (14)
Cedric Schweri (0)
Olavo Novaes (7)
Marcos Riglos (5)
Gery De Cloedt (2)
Gstaad Palace (14)
Juan Pepa (3)
Pelayo Berazadi (4)
Patricio Cieza (5)
Jorge Pepa (2)
Polo Friends (14)
Piero Dillier/Andy Bihrer (0)
Octavio Olmedo Guerra (3)
Lucas Labat (6)
Juan Jose Storni (+5)
www.polo-gstaad.ch