The 84th. Tortugas Open, the second leg of the coveted Triple Crown in Argentina, will commence on Saturday October 12. The tournament will see four teams up to 40 goals in participation. Teams are split in two leagues, and the winners of each league will play the championship match. Unlike the Hurlingham Open, there won’t be a Subsidiary Cup.
It’s worth to give a look about some interesting facts concerning the Tortugas Open.
- The Tortugas Open is the newest competition of the Triple Crown. It was played under the name Emilio de Anchorena Cup until 1929, and became an official tournament as the Tortugas Open in 1930.
- Ellerstina has won the contest held at the oldest country club in South America more than anyone else; they claimed the cup thirteen times, overcoming the legendary Coronel Suarez. The last time La Z won the contest was in 2021, with three Pieres brothers within the lineup (Gonzalito, Facundo and Nicolás).
- La Natividad are the currently double defending champions, having lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2023, on both occasions with different lineups. In 2022, the Castagnola brothers (Camilo and Bartolomé Jr) were joined by Polito Pieres and South African Nachi Du Plessis; in 2023 they were victorious with the current foursome – Camilo, Barto, Facundo Pieres and Pablo MacDonough.
- The Tortugas Open hosted the first ever official 80-goal match, in 2018, when La Dolfina (Adolfo Cambiaso, Juan Martín Nero, Pablo Mac Donough and Pelón Stirling) beat Ellerstina (brothers Facundo, Nicolás and Gonzalito Pieres, and their cousin, Polito Pieres). The possibility of another perfect match this year is still in doubt, due to Adolfo Cambiaso’s injury; it’s most likely to be revealed in the last minute, according to Cambiaso’s evolution.
- Speaking of Adolfo Cambiaso, the last time he didn’t play the Tortugas Open was in 1992. Otherwise, he’s been playing the tournament every year. However, he won’t be able to make a start this year due to his injury; perhaps he’s expected to make a comeback only if La Dolfina win their league and reach the final.
The opening day of the Tortugas Open, on Saturday October 12, will have double action:
1,30pm: La Natividad vs. Indios Chapaleufu
4pm: Ellerstina vs. Cría La Dolfina
The final of the 84th. Tortugas Open is set to be played on Saturday November 2.