On Friday in front of a packed house, the finalists for the open championship were determined in a round-robin continuation from Wednesday. In the opening two chukkers, CrossFit El Cid came from behind to knock off San Saba, 6-4. McCabe led scoring with two goals and Cochran added one. Cassino scored San Saba’s only goal. San Saba was coming off three tournament victories in South Florida.
Chateau D’esclans, the tournament favorite led by 10-goaler Nina Clarkin of Great Britain, won its pair of two-chukker matches, defeating San Saba, 11-2, and CrossFit Cid, 8-5. Against San Saba, Clarkin led with four goals, Cambiaso had two and Novillo Astrada added one and against CrossFit El Cid, Clarkin had two goals and Cambiaso and Novillo Astrada each had one goal. Wiseman had one goal for CrossFit El Cid.
Busch, a longtime WCT player, is also impressed with the quality of play in this year’s tournament especially with Chateau D’esclans. CrossFit El Cid, playing without any practice sessions, got stronger throughout the chukkers. Busch admits Chateau D’esclans will be a formidable opponent.
After a year’s hiatus, the WCT Final has attracted a Who’s Who of women players. Twenty-eight women are competing in three levels of play.
The tournament is named in honor of legendary Hall of Famer Sunset “Sunny” Hale. The WCT is the only women’s polo event of its kind. The largest polo league in the world has grown in popularity since its inception in 2005. The WCT Final, adult and junior qualifiers have U.S. and international players with more than 20 qualifiers in the U.S. alone.
Hale, the first woman in U.S. history to win the U.S. Open in 2000 with Outback and part-time Wellington resident, died February 26, 2017 in Norman, Okla. due to complications from cancer. She was 48.
Women’s polo remains the largest growing sector in polo, aided by the WCT Series which has helped consolidate women’s polo and promote high quality competition throughout the world.
Order of play for Sunday’s Finals:
12:30pm, Open Championship of the Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final:
Chateau D’esclans: Riley Ganzi 2, Mia Cambiaso 5, Mia Novillo Astrada 4T, Nina Vestey Clarkin 10.
VS
CrossFit El Cid: Paige Boone McCabe 6, Cecelia Cochran 5, Sarah Wiseman 8, Tiffany Busch 6.
10am, 8-Goal Final:
Grand Champions: Summer Kneece A, Gracie Brown 2, Malia Bryan 3, Sydney Jordan 1.
VS
Catena: Jennifer Williams 3, Malicia Von Falkenhausen 2, Catherine Roze 1, Olivia Uetztrich 2.
11:15am, 16-Goal Final:
G-String/Amista Polo: Hope Arellano 4, Gillian Johnston 6, Malia Bryan 3, Olivia Merlos 2.
VS
Hawaii Polo Life: Olivia Uetztrich 2, Pamela Flanagan 3, Mia Cambiaso 5, Courtney Asdourain 6.