Australia 4 : New Zealand 4 Hong Kong Goldin 4 : England 4
6-day ‘Goldin International Snow Polo Challenge’ being contested from February 15-20
(Tianjin, China, February 18, 2011) – Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club (“Metropolitan Polo Club”), the most prestigious private polo club with the largest polo facilities in China, finished the fourth day of Asia’s first ‘Snow Polo’ tournament with identical ties. Australia (14) tied with New Zealand (14) at 4:4. Hong Kong Goldin (14) also tied with England (13) at 4:4.
Action during Day 4 of the Snow Polo Tournament in China.
Today was the final day of the league matches to decide which teams qualify to play in the semi-finals tomorrow (February 19) and saw some fast and furious action on the field. Within minutes, the players were tackling each other, eager to gain control of the light inflatable ball. Great skill is required to control the ball as it skids easily over the icy surface. Moreover, the polo field – being much smaller than standard turf pitches – means players have less space to manoeuvre and reactions must be incredibly fast.
During every Snow Polo match, a special bulldozer will be used to produce a smooth surface.
Tomorrow’s semi-finals (February 19) will be in four-chukkas and feature Team England vs Team Hong Kong Goldin (2pm), Team Argentina vs Team France (4pm). The winners of tomorrow will be advanced to play in the final on Sunday (February 20).
The six-day ‘Goldin International Snow Polo Challenge’ marks the Asia and China debut of the winter sport introduced in St. Moritz, Switzerland in 1960.
Snow Polo has become the pinnacle of society calendars throughout the northern hemisphere and now has made its way to Asia for the first time at the Metropolitan Polo Club’s “Goldin International Snow Polo Challenge”.
The prestigious international event is being contested by six national teams of Argentina, England, France, New Zealand, Australia and Team Hong Kong Goldin.
It is the first-ever snow polo tournament to feature all professional players sanctioned by their national associations.
Metropolitan Polo Club features state-of-the-art equestrian facilities with the largest polo facilities in China including two international-sized polo fields with stabling for 150 horses, training facilities, riding school and a luxury club hotel.
Snow Polo is contested by just three players on each side with an inflatable ball. The Snow Polo ball is bigger than the one traditionally used on grass, however, the field is considerably smaller.
It is being played in Asia for the first time at the Metropolitan Polo Club on a 100 x 50 yards (91.44m long x 45.72m wide) polo field of compacted artificial snow.
The semi-finals are on Saturday (February 19) and finals on Sunday (February 20).