Team Presentation and Draw
Fast horses in the snow, exciting sports and glamorous evening events characterize the event, which is now in its 16th year both in Kitzbühel’s event calendar and in the international polo tournament calendar.
For organiser and polo player Tito Gaudenzi, it is not the first event of 2018. Together with his team, he comes straight from the sunny Miami Beach to Kitzbühel, where he celebrated the revival of the Beach Polo World Cup in Miami between 4 – 7 January. From Florida, Tito Gaudenzi brings not only his team, but also some players, taking part in the Tour Miami-Kitzbühel-St. Moritz, including American patron Melissa Ganzi, the Munich native Sebastian Schneberger and the Argentine Alejandro Novillo Astrada. From the sand to the snow – the biggest difference for the pros is the ground. Gaudenzi explains, “For the players, the ball remains the same, but the horses react differently on snow than on sand. You have to be prepared for that.”
The Ganzi family took part in the Beach Polo World Cup, Miami, with all four family members taking the helm of a different team. The family will be looking for a second win, after daughter Riley took home the coveted Florida silverware – looking to replicate her daughter’s success, will mother Melissa win, or will it be the lower handicapped 2017 champions, Corum, who will hold aloft the Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel trophy?
Fresh from the success of the Miami event, Kitzbühel welcomed tonight the six teams taking part in this year’s tournament, in the heart of the picturesque Alpine village.
Following a team briefing from event organiser Tito Gaudenzi, the world’s press gathered in front of the Hotel Zür Tenne for the official presentation of the teams. The players arrived at the hotel in a fleet of Maserati’s to a roar from the crowd and took their positions on the presentation stand ahead of the tournament draw.
The snow quality promises to be good this year with perfect playing conditions, assuring strong competition on the field. Admission to the public area with food village and exhibitors around the polo field is free, so everyone is welcome. Some VIP tickets, including catering for all three days are still available at www.kitzbuehelpolo.com
The 16th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel Teams:
Bendura Bank (12):
Melissa Ganzi (1/USA), Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8/USA) & Tito Gaudenzi (3/CH)
Engel & Völkers (11):
Kutlay Yaprak (0/IRE), Augustin Kronhaus (4/ARG) & Adrian Laplacette Jr. (7/ARG)
Polo Club Kitzbühel (13):
Sebastian Schneberger (2/GER), Hector Monserrat (4/ARG) & Valentin Novillo Astrada (7/ARG)
Bernd Gruber (9):
Steffi von Pock (1/GER), Marty van Scherpenzeel (2/NL) & Eduardo Anca (6/ARG)
Corum (9):
Philip Sommer (2/GER), Lukas Sdrenka (3/GER) & Patrick Maleitzke (4/GER)
Maserati (10):
Marc Abele (1/GER), Caspar Crasemann (4/GER) & Thomas Winter (5/GER)
Commentator: Jan-Erik Franck
Umpire: Mark Holmes
Programme of the 16th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel:
Thursday 11 January
5pm: Team Presentations in front of the Hotel Zur Tenne
7pm: Welcome Party at the Casino Kitzbühel (by invitation only for players, sponsors, officials and journalists)
Friday 12 January
11am: Polo Club Kitzbühel vs Corum
12pm: Engel & Völkers vs Bendura Bank
1pm: Bernd Gruber vs Maserati
8pm: Team Captain Dinner at Kitzbühel Country Club (by invitation only)
11pm: Take 5 Polo Club Night
Saturday 13 January
11am: Polo Club Kitzbühel vs Bernd Gruber
12pm: Bendura Bank vs Maserati
1pm: Engel & Völkers vs Corum
8pm: Polo Players Night in the VIP Tent
(by invitation only/information via Lifestyle Events: info@kitzbuehelpolo.com)
Sunday 14 January
11am: Match for 5th and 6th place (Engel & Völkers Cup)
12pm: Match for 3rd and 4th place (Kitzbühel Country Club Cup)
1pm: Final of the 16th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel
4pm: Prize-giving ceremony, presentation of Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony Awards and photo shoot
Photograph: The teams are presented ahead of the 16th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel. By Polo Times