Fri 25th Jan 2019 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Starts Fantastic first day of sparkling snow polo action The heart of the Engadin Valley was once again aflame with polo prowess, as thousands of spectators crowded the stands for the kick-off of the world’s oldest, biggest and most extravagant snow polo event – the 35th annual Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz. The pristine snow conditions and blazing sunshine ensured ideal playing conditions for the best snow polo players in the world to do battle on the iconic frozen lake of St. Moritz. Azerbaijan Land of Fire were back to battle for the coveted trophy in the first match against 2018 champions Cartier, and with the addition of father/son duo Marc and Grant Ganzi in the number one and two shirts for Cartier, the competition was rife. From the off, Azerbaijan Land of Fire had their work cut out, with 10 goal Juan Martín Nero, fresh from his Argentine Open win in December, firing a 60 yard penalty high in the sky, which was discreetly knocked in by Marc Ganzi in the first minute. The boys in white weren’t far behind, with Agustín Kronhaus securing his first goal of the match to put the scores at 1-1½ just as quickly. 7 goal Isidro Strada was the next on the scoreboard, having secured the ball in five consecutive throw-ins for the Azerbaijan Land of Fire team. By the end of the first frenetic chukka, Nero had ensured Cartier weren’t far behind, dribbling through the opposition to bring the scores to 2-2½. The second chukka was no less tense, with Nero finding his rhythm taking Cartier ahead 4-3½, to only one in response from Adrian Laplacette Jr before the break. It was all passion and power on the field today, evident by the two evenly matched teams and their impressive horsepower. By the end of the third, Cartier were still in the lead 5-4½, following a perfectly timed penalty from Nero that bounced off the post, despite Azerbaijan fighting back to take a temporary lead early on. It was all to play for the final, tense seven minutes and with an impressive goal from Laplacette Jr, breaking out of the mêlée, Azerbaijan Land of Fire secured their first win and The Royal Salute Trophy 5-5½.   So, it was time for the hotly anticipated second match of the day for The President’s Cup.  This was between Melissa Ganzi’s black shirted Badrutt’s Palace, keen to make a mark against the horsepower of Maserati. Max Charlton’s rise to 10 goals in the UK arena handicaps this week, teamed with Chris ‘The Prof’ Hyde, seven-time winner here in St. Moritz made Maserati a force to be reckoned with. However, Ganzi’s playing partnership with 9 goal maestro Alejandro Novillo Astrada, fresh from last weekend’s polo in Kitzbühel certainly did not disappoint. First timer on the snow was Alfredo Bigatti, playing off 8 goals and finding his form fast. The first two chukkas saw relatively scrappy play from players of this calibre as both teams sized each other up. But the third chukka saw the teams relax into open, flowing polo that had the spectators jumping to their feet and screaming with excitement. At half-time it was anybody’s game with Maserati holding their first half lead at 3-2, ably abetted by Robert Strom, playing a tactical and quick witted game off 5 goals. The third chukka saw Badrutt’s equalise and then take the lead for the first time. But their advantage was short lived as Maserati once again equalised to end the third chukka with even scores on the doors at 3-3. The last chukka was edge of the seat stuff. Play matched play, penalty for penalty, ride-off for ride-off as the tension mounted. The result was a 5-5 score with just seconds of play left. Charlton broke free of the pack, stormed down the ground and lofted a shot that cleared the posts just as the final whistle blew to bring the final score to 6-5 in Maserati’s favour. And so, Maserati’s horsepower reigned supreme, but by the closest of margins. Play continues tomorrow with Badrutt’s Palace playing Azerbaijan Land of Fire at 12.30pm local time and then at 2.15pm Maserati playing Cartier to decide the line-up for Finals’ Day on Sunday. The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Teams: Cartier (17): Marc Ganzi (2), Grant Ganzi (3), Juan Martín Nero (10) & Tito Gaudenzi (2) Azerbaijan Land of Fire (17): Ali Rzayev (0), Agustin Kronhaus (4), Adrian Laplacette Jr (6) & Isidro Strada (7) Badrutt's Palace (16): Melissa Ganzi (0), Juan Bautista Peluso (0), Alfredo Bigatti (8) & Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8) Maserati (16): Valery Mishchenko (0), Robert Strom (5), Max Charlton (6) & Chris Hyde (5)   Photograph: Azerbaijan Land of Fire secured their first match in St. Moritz against 2018 winners Cartier. By ©www.imagesofpolo.com

Other top stories Tue 19th Feb 2019 Flannels England Team Announced Team confirmed for The Playnation International Test Match for The Bryan Morrison Trophy Mon 18th Feb 2019 Inaugural All Star Challenge Draw Final Valiente make history at Grand Champions Fri 15th Feb 2019 C.V. Whitney Cup Underway USA high goal in full swing Wed 13th Feb 2019 Ylvisaker Cup Final Dutta Corp secure third trophy of US season Mon 11th Feb 2019 SUPA University Winter Nationals Record breaking number of teams compete Fri 8th Feb 2019 Playnation Arena International Teams Announced Flannels England & France vie for The Bryan Morrison Trophy Thu 7th Feb 2019 Visa Update News from Hurlingham Polo Association Thu 7th Feb 2019 Equine Influenza Outbreak of Equine Influenza in British horse racing Wed 6th Feb 2019 Ylvisaker Cup Continues La Indiana, Dutta Corp, Pilot and Patagones in the Semi Finals Tue 5th Feb 2019 Silver Cup Semi Finals Set Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club welcome international teams Mon 4th Feb 2019 Playnation Arena Polo Test Match The upcoming Bryan Morrison Trophy Fri 1st Feb 2019 Polo Times Out Now! February issue is out now! Thu 31st Jan 2019 Australia International Team Announced HPA release names of Flannels England team Wed 30th Jan 2019 USA Defeat English Arena Sides Three consecutive international matches see USA reign supreme Sun 27th Jan 2019 Snow Polo History Made Today The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2019 Finals Sat 26th Jan 2019 Maserati & Badrutt's Palace Secure Places in St. Moritz Final Snow, sun, spills and thrills delight alpine crowds Fri 25th Jan 2019 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Starts Fantastic first day of sparkling snow polo action Wed 23rd Jan 2019 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Only one day before the world turns its eyes to Switzerland See all news in: February 2019January 2019December 2018November 2018October 2018September 2018August 2018July 2018June 2018May 2018April 2018March 2018February 2018January 2018December 2017November 2017October 2017September 2017August 2017July 2017June 2017May 2017April 2017March 2017February 2017January 2017December 2016November 2016October 2016September 2016August 2016July 2016June 2016May 2016April 2016March 2016February 2016January 2016December 2015November 2015October 2015September 2015August 2015July 2015June 2015May 2015April 2015March 2015February 2015January 2015December 2014November 2014October 2014September 2014August 2014July 2014June 2014May 2014April 2014March 2014February 2014January 2014December 2013November 2013October 2013September 2013August 2013July 2013June 2013May 2013April 2013March 2013February 2013January 2013December 2012November 2012October 2012September 2012August 2012July 2012June 2012May 2012April 2012March 2012February 2012January 2012December 2011November 2011October 2011September 2011August 2011July 2011June 2011May 2011April 2011March 2011February 2011January 2011December 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010February 2010January 2010December 2009November 2009October 2009September 2009August 2009July 2009June 2009May 2009April 2009March 2009February 2009January 2009December 2008November 2008October 2008September 2008August 2008July 2008June 2008May 2008April 2008March 2008

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