For the third year running Audi Polo team took the title World Snow Polo Champions at the 12th Annual Snow Polo Championships in Aspen, Colorado. Team Captain Melissa Ganzi with players Juan Bollini and Jeff Hall beat out four other teams to triumph over Team Ciroc 9-6 in an excitement-filled final, and received Baccarrat trophies to commemorate their win on Aspen’s Marolt Open Space, December 17th-18th, 2011. World class players like Nacho Figueras and Nic Roldan, Tommy Biddle, Alan Martinez, Matthew Fonseca and Pelon Escapite all played in the fun-filled 16 goal competition under bluebird skies and bright sunshine. Spectators enjoyed a VIP warming tent with western furnishings and equestrian art and refueled on hot food from popular local eatery L’Hostaria and chilled vodka from team sponsor Ciroc. U.S. Polo Assn. licensed by Jordache Enterprises who became this year’s official apparel provider, completely sold through their new merchandise at a Pop-Up store set up especially for the purpose, under the tent.
First introduced in 1985, at the resort town of St. Mortiz, Switzerland, Snow Polo’s inaugural event entertained several hundred curious spectators. In the United States, Snow Polo is competed exclusively in Aspen, Colorado. A modified version of polo, where games are played on a snow-packed arena surrounded by fencing, keeping the ball in play, teams are comprised of three players. Play consists of four 7-minute chukkas (periods) and horses (polo ponies) are shod with special cleated shoes to provide better traction. The ball is larger, lighter and bright red, accommodating winter conditions.
With the event’s reputation for being as much fun off the field as on, the weekend’s scheduled social activities included a dinner at Aspen’s iconic Caribou Club as well as a Cocktail party at Buffalo Collection and a dance party at the St Regis hotel hosted by Aspen Peak Magazine. Participating hotel sponsors The Limelight, The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome and Molly Gibson Lodge offered polo packages. Aspen Sister Cities program (an international exchange for local youth) is the charity for World Snow Polo. Donations in the form of lodging were made available by The Lenado Hotel, Silvertree Hotel, The Mountain Chalet, The Inn at Aspen, The Innsbruck and the Aspen Square Hotel. The Roaring Fork Polo Club is thankful to all participating sponsors who make it possible to make a significant donation to this cause.