By Alex Webbe

Two of polo’s biggest stars will be shining on Miami Beach this weekend when the 4th Annual Miami Beach Polo World Cup gets underway. Nine-goalers Mike Azzaro and Carlos Gracida, teammates in the recently completed US Open Championship will be on opposing teams when competition begins on Friday, April 25.

Mike Azzaro will be the engine under the hood of the Hennessy team of Marc Ganzi (1) and Gonzalo Del Tour (3). Carlos Gracida, the winningest player in the game will be joined on the Frank Crystal/Comcast team by nephew, Weston Gracida (2) and Lance Vetter (0).

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase this great game to a large audience of enthusiasts,” said Azzaro.

The three-man teams employ the same teamwork as that of arena polo, with four-foot tall sideboards in place to keep the ball in play.

“It takes great hand-eye coordination,” said Azzaro of the play on the ball as it bounces off the walls of the arena, “and it takes great teamwork to win.”

Azzaro was rated at the game’s maximum 10-goal handicap for 12 years, longer than any American born player since the legendary Cecil Smith.

Carlos Gracida also boasted the ultimate 10-goal handicap, carrying it for an impressive 15 years.

Internationally recognized as one of the premier players in the history of the sport, Carlos reached the ultimate polo rating of 10-goals at the age of twenty-five and rode on to capture the most prestigious polo trophies around the world. SportsIllustrated.com says that Carlos Gracida has dominated the sport more than any other player in history, and he isn’t done yet.

Gracida has won the U. S. Open Championship on nine different occasions; the Argentine Open five times; the British Open on ten occasions; and the World Cup seven times. An encyclopedia cites Carlos as the holder of more tournament wins than any player in the history of the game. He has been named Player of the Year five different times and Argentina’s revered Olimpa de Plata, the award for the most valuable polo player in the country, the only non-Argentine to ever win the prestigious award.

“This is a very exciting event,” said Carlos, “and a beautiful location. I’m looking forward to the competition as well as all of the activities that are planned around it.”
And the social swirl around the polo matches is significant.

On Wednesday, April 23, there is an RSVP, Pre-Launch Event planned at Badruit’s Place in Brickell. On Thursday evening there is a Press Cocktail and Team Presentation at The Setai (by invitation only) followed by a Social at Sagamore, the Art Hotel, oceanfront on South Beach. On Friday there is a horse parade on the beach between 14th and 22nd Street. The China Grill Management team will meet The Setai team at 2pm. Team Frank Crystal & Co./Comcast faces Lamborghini Miami at 3pm, and Hennessy plays Audi at 4pm.

The day’s activities will end with the daily presentation ceremony followed by Polo Players Night at Mynt Lounge.

Tournament Director Tito Gaudenzi is thrilled with the talent on the teams this year.
“We’re very excited to see the tournament grow in such a positive manner over the past four years, “ said Gaudenzi. “Having top international players of the status of Mike Azzaro and Carlos Gracida participate in our tournament confirms the potential of this event and has us looking forward to next year.”

The tournament and social activities continue through the weekend, with three games a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, concluding with a 6pm “water polo” game at the Sagamore pool at 6pm on Sunday evening.

For tickets or further information please call 866-468-7630, or go to the website, miamipolo.com.

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