“Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012”
Championship concludes at Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club,
: Mr. Eduardo Huergo, the President of the Federation of International Polo (left) and Mr. Pan Sutong, Chairman of the Goldin Group (right) present the Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012 Trophy to Hong Kong, China (yellow)
after 12 teams from around the world came to compete for the title
(Tianjin, China, February 12, 2012) – Hosted by the Equestrian Association of China and the Federation of International Polo (FIP), Asia’s first ever “Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012” (“Snow Polo World Cup”) successfully concluded after nine days of fierce competition. Twelve teams from around the world had been competing at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club (“Metropolitan Polo Club”). The Tournament has drawn a large number of prestigious guests including ambassadors, polo professionals and prominent elites.
There are altogether twelve teams taking part in this year’s tournament and each team’s handicap ranges from 14-16, making this international high-goal tournament one of the largest in the world. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, England, Hong Kong, China, India, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA were all competing to become the first winners of the inaugural Snow Polo World Cup. All are members of the Federation of International Polo (FIP).
“Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012” – Hong Kong, China Victorious over South Africa
Expectations were running high in the crowd on the final day of the inaugural “Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012”, as the home team, Hong Kong, China, progressed to the finals to play against South Africa.
After the rousing national anthems, the game was officially started by FIP President Mr. Eduardo Huergo, who threw the ball into the field. Hong Kong, China dominated the first chukka, with Guillermo Terrera and Martin Inchauspe both scoring. South Africa’s Tom de Bruin opened the scoring for South Africa in the second chukka, but Hong Kong, China dominated possession, with Terrera scoring again. Martin Inchauspe scored again to extend Hong Kong’s lead. Tom de Bruin scored a penalty towards the end of the chukka, but Guillermo Terrera scored a penalty also, to bring the home side up to 6:2 at half time. Having defended for most of the game thus far, South Africa started to threaten more in chukka 3, although Hong Kong, China’s Guillermo Terrera performed a dramatic penalty save to secure Hong Kong’s lead. South Africa found their stride in chukka 4, and put the home side under severe pressure, however Hong Kong, China maintained their lead, and finished the game 7:4.
The playoff for 3rd and 4th place was between England and Argentina. After the teams’ national anthems were played, Mr. Gustavo Martino, Argentina’s ambassador to China, was given the honor of starting the game by throwing the ball into play. It was a very close match, with both teams remaining within one point of each other, and England edging ahead 4:3 at halftime. The lead switched between the two teams throughout the rest of the game, but England managed to emerge victorious at the end, sealing an 8:7 win.
“Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012” – Final Results
1st Place: Hong Kong, China
2nd Place: South Africa
3rd Place: England
4th Place: Argentina
“Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012” – Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony kicked off with a performance by the Buenos Aries Opera, who sang Brindisi. The crowd’s excitement and joy was pronounced as Hong Kong, China took first place followed by South Africa in second. England came in third, and Argentina followed in fourth place. The medals were presented to all four teams by Mr. He Lifeng, the Deputy Secretary of Tianjin Municipal Government and Secretary of Binhai New Area, and Mr. Eduardo Huergo, the President of the Federation of International Polo. Ms. Zhang Junfang, the Vice Mayor of Tianjin, presented souvenirs to players of today’s four competing teams. Mr. Roland Buser, Managing Director of Chopard Hong Kong & Greater China, presented Chopard watches to today’s players, and the Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012 trophy was proudly presented to Hong Kong, China by FIP President Mr. Eduardo Huergo and Mr. Pan Sutong, Chairman of the Goldin Group. Jets of colored smoke shot into the air as the champions trophy was presented, adding extra festivity and excitement to the presentation.
Mr. Asad Jumabhoy, Executive Committee Member of the FIP presented the Most Valuable Player award to Guillermo Terrera, of Hong Kong, China team, who was presented with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Champagne. The award for Best Playing Pony went to Negro, who was ridden by Terrera in the first chukka today.
Information on “Fortune Heights Snow Polo World Cup 2012”
Official website: www.snowpoloworldcup.com
Click on image to view larger image of teams.