Celebrating 40 Years St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup

La St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup festeggerà i suoi primi 40 anni. Un evento straordinariamente bello e glamour che nacque dal 1985 attrae visitatori da tutto il mondo e alcuni dei migliori giocatori. Fu proprio in quell’anno che l’albergatore svizzero Reto Gaudenzi diede vita al suo sogno: giocare a polo sulla neve a St. Moritz. L’idea era nata nel 1983 quando, dopo una partita disputata a Monaco di Baviera, Reto si presentò davanti alla stampa e, in accordo con il suo amico Hans Peter Danuser, allora direttore del turismo di St. Moritz, annunciò un torneo di polo sul lago ghiacciato. Due anni più tardi, nel gennaio 1985, i giocatori di polo di Monaco, Parigi e Ginevra arrivarono nell’esclusiva località dell’Engadina con i loro entourage per dare il via ad una competizione a due squadre. La notte prima della prima partita scoppiò una tempesta, ma con un’efficienza impressionante, l’intero team è riuscito a liberare un campo di 80 x 40 metri e il torneo si svolse come previsto. Da allora è diventato un appuntamento imperdibile e l’anno prossimo si potrà celebrare un traguardo importante, ripercorrendo tappe meravigliose.

“Il nostro torneo non è solo un evento sportivo, ma anche un simbolo della passione e dello spirito di squadra necessari per organizzare un evento di così alto livello”, afferma Reto Gaudenzi. “È solo grazie alla stretta collaborazione di tutte le parti coinvolte che siamo in grado di celebrare oggi il 40° anniversario”.

The St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup will celebrate its first 40 years. An extraordinarily beautiful and glamorous event that was born in 1985 attracts visitors from all over the world and some of the best players. It was in that year that Swiss hotelier Reto Gaudenzi gave life to his dream: to play snow polo in St. Moritz. The idea was born in 1983 when, after a match played in Munich, Reto appeared in front of the press and, in agreement with his friend Hans Peter Danuser, then director of tourism in St. Moritz, announced a polo tournament on the frozen lake. Two years later, in January 1985, polo players from Munich, Paris and Geneva arrived in the exclusive Engadine resort with their entourage to kick off a two-team competition. The night before the first match, a storm broke out, but with impressive efficiency, the entire team managed to clear an 80 x 40 meter court and the tournament ran as planned. Since then it has become an unmissable event and next year we will be able to celebrate an important milestone, retracing wonderful stages.” Our tournament is not only a sporting event, but also a symbol of the passion and team spirit required to organize such a high-level event,” says Reto Gaudenzi. “It is only thanks to the close collaboration of all parties involved that we are able to celebrate the 40th anniversary today.”

Team Sponsors: Flexjet, MACKAGE, The Kusnacht Practice, Azerbaijan – Land of Fire, TAOS & World Polo League; Official Outfitter, Casablanca; Umpire Sponsor, Maura Wasescha; Official Hotels: Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, Kempinski Grand Hôtel des Bains, Carlton Hotel, Suvretta House, Giardino Mountain, Grace La Margna, Crystal Hotel, Steffani Hotel, Hotel Corvatsch, Laudinella Hotel Group, Hotel Sonne; Guest Nation: Azerbaijan – Land of Fire; Guest Resorts: Ithaafushi – The Private Island by Waldorf Astoria, One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives; Official Restaurants: Chesa Veglia/Polo Bar, Paradiso, Kulm Country Club; Official Vodka, Beluga – The nobble Vodka; Official Champagne, Champagne Perrier-Jouët; Official Prosecco, Villa Sandi; Official Partner Hotel  Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich; Trophy Sponsors: St. Moritz, Beluga – The Noble Vodka, Casablanca, Flexjet, Ithaafushi – The Private Island by Waldorf Astoria; Official Car, Kessel/Maserati; Sponsors: Maura Wasescha, Kessel/Maserati, Pernod Ricard Swiss, Sprüngli, Chopfab Boxer, Beluga – The Noble Vodka, Billionaire St. Moritz; VIP Catering GAMMACATERING; Official Suppliers: Champagne Perrier-Jouët, Oona Caviar, Cecchetto, Mitscho’s Cigars, Sprüngli, acqua ORSINI, Chopfab Boxer, Villa Sandi, Beluga – The Noble Vodka; Exhibitors: Casablanca, Maura Wasescha, Casino St. Moritz, Ender Sport St. Moritz, Kessel/Maserati, Villa Sandi, Ithaafushi – The Private Maldives Island, Die Weltwoche, Flexjet, Azerbaijan – Land of Fire, MACKAGE; Medical Partner, Klinik Gut; Official Lab Partner, CentraLab; Public Catering: Crystal Hotel, Madame Sum, AlpenFood Catering, azado, Giardino Mountain, Pop-up on the Ice by R.C. Concepts; Supporter: Engadin, Gemeinde St. Moritz, Kanton Graubünden, St. Moritz, Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, O. Christoffel AG, Blasto; Host Club, Evviva Polo Club St. Moritz; Partner Club, Polo Park & Country Club Zürich, Official Snow Polo, The Polo Magazine, Polo Times; Magazine Publisher, Worldwide Live; Coverage, PoloLine.TV; Media Partners: The Polo Magazine, Polo Times, Polo International, Le Grand Mag, good style mag, Polo & Lifestyle The London Magazine, La Polo, Excellence Magazine Luxury, Die Weltwoche, Falstaff, Falstaff TRAVEL, CNBC, PoloLine.TV, ALPSTYLE, Engadiner Post.

Photo Credit: fotoSwiss.com/cattaneo; Kathrin Gralla

www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com  www.facebook.com/snowpolostmoritz – www.facebook.com/dolcissimame.it