The organizers of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz are delighted to welcome The Kusnacht Practice and Flexjet as new team sponsors of the world’s only high goal tournament on snow. They are joining the ranks of the existing teams Azerbaijan Land of Fire, World Polo League, Clinique La Prairie, and St. Moritz. Casablanca returns as the official outfitter. The team captains are expected to sign up top international polo players to get a headstart in the contest for the coveted polo trophy. The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2023 will be held from 27 to 29 January.
All matches of the 38th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz will be streamed live on Pololine.TV.
The Snow Polo World Cup 2023 will see two of last year’s team captains throwing their hats in the ring again. Crowd-pleaser and winner of the previous tournament, Team Azerbaijan Land of Fire, will once more be captained by Elcin Jamalli (AZE), who is banking on his proven teammates and cousins Adrian and Rauli Laplacette (both ARG) as well as local star Tito Gaudenzi. Expectations are equally high for Melissa Ganzi’s (USA) Team World Polo League. The experienced team captain, who in 2019 was the first female captain ever to win the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz trophy, will leave no stone unturned to repeat her victory. She will play alongside her son Grant and her trusted pillar of strength, Alejandro Novillo Astrada (ARG).
Marc Ganzi (USA) is also returning to the tournament, this time as captain of Team Clinique La Prairie. He is joining forces with Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz regular Nic Roldan (USA) and Fred Mannix, Canada’s best and foremost polo player. After a seven-year hiatus, Spencer McCarthy (GBR) is making his second appearance at the St. Moritz tournament with polo veteran Nacho Gonzalez (ARG) by his side, as in 2016. His son James McCarthy and powerhouse Max Charlton complete the team; Max Charlton, Britain’s best arena polo player, has clocked up no less than four victories in Saint Moritz. For Flexjet captain Daniel Deistler from Germany, it will be a debut in the Engadine valley. He is teaming up with the seasoned top players Patrick Maleitzke (GER) and Clemente Delfosse (FRA). For Eduardo Greghi (SUI/BRA), it will also be a first in St. Moritz, as for his team, The Kusnacht Practice. His inaugural team features Alejo Taranco (URU), Nicolas San Roman, and Charlie Hanbury (both GBR).
Unabated interest from sponsors, VIP and gala night tickets in high demand
With the Badrutt’s Palace, the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, the Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains, the Carlton Hotel, the Suvretta House, the Giardino Mountain, and the Grace La Margna, all five-star hotels are renewing their commitment alongside Maura Wasescha, Trois Pommes and Sprüngli. The next edition of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz thus sees long-standing sponsors and partners return and new international sponsors joining the prestigious event, notably the luxurious Ithaafushi, The Private Island by Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives.
Record high demand for VIP and Chukker Club tickets and tickets for the “Baku Moritz” gala night on Saturday, 28 January 2023. The sumptuous catering in the VIP tent will once again carry the signature of the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel chefs – one more reason to secure one of the tickets in time.
Tickets are available at www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com/tickets/.
As always, admission to the polo grounds will be free and open to all visitors.
Over the three-day event, local chefs, coordinated by the leading hotels Badrutt’s Palace and Crystal, will provide a wide array of delicacies for the public.
“Every year, we see our guests delighted anew by the unique setting on a frozen lake against one of the world’s most stunning mountain backdrops,” enthuses founder and organizer Reto Gaudenzi. “St. Moritz is second to none in making such a perfect match of genuine hospitality, luxury and authentic Alpine lifestyle. It is an exhilarating mix of locals, visitors, polo fans, winter sports enthusiasts, and foodies.” And he adds. “We are also thrilled to see the demand from sponsors, players, and guests growing every year. It is, above all, a compliment to St. Moritz and the outstanding effort of all partners involved.”
Global media reach
Media interest is as high as the public’s demand for VIP tickets, and numerous media representatives from national and international radio, TV and print outlets have already applied for press accreditation. Media reach of the last tournament surpassed that of all previous editions – the incredible figure of 890,859 persons exceeded even the organizers’ boldest expectations.
The three-day tournament on the last January weekend in 2023 is expected to draw a crowd of more than 20,000 spectators, traveling in from all four corners of the globe to experience spectacular polo played on the frozen Lake St. Moritz and enjoy the outstanding social events on and off the lake.
38th SNOW POLO WORLD CUP ST. MORITZ – TEAMS:
Azerbaijan Land of Fire: Elcin Jamalli 2, Adrián Laplacette 6, Rauli Laplacette 6, Tito Gaudenzi 2.
The Kusnacht Practice: Eduardo Greghi 0, Nicolás San Roman 4, Jejo Taranco 8, Charlie Hanbury 4.
World Polo League: Melissa Ganzi 0, Grant Ganzi 3, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 7, TBA.
Clinique La Prairie: Marc Ganzi 1, Nic Roldan 8, Fred Mannix 6, TBA.
Flexjet: Daniel Deistler 0, Patrick Maleitzke 5, Clemente Delfosse 5, Patrick Paillol 5.
St. Moritz: Spencer McCarthy 2, Max Charlton 6, Nacho Gonzalez 4, James McCarthy 2.