International polo stars, premium gastronomy and Argentinian lifestyle on Sylt
Ready, steady, … now the sixth team, which will participate in the Berenberg German Polo Masters, is complete. The foursome includes Magnus Kaminiarz (0) and Juan Correa (+2) as well as the Argentinian pro Sergio Magrini (+3) and the Dutch national player Pablo van der Brink (+2), who all are strong players but are mostly unknown to the audience on Sylt.
With three 7-goal teams and three 8-goal teams, the balance of power is relatively equal. The best handicap of the tournament is owned by 6-goaler Eduardo Anca. A total of four 4-goalers will participate in the event and give reason to anticipate balanced and thrilling chukkas.
On Tuesday (28th July) and Wednesday (29th July), there will be an opportunity for the spectators to plunge even further into the sport of polo. In addition to the matches there will be a polo rules lesson including a lottery at 2.00 p.m. (on both days admission only 10 EUR). Taught by a pro, everyone interested in polo will learn all about the oldest team sport in the world. Why does the direction of play change after each goal? Why are polo ponies so unique and what is their most important playing ability? The sport of polo is explained here enthusiastically and at first hand.
Skydiver Seventhsky Sylt
The landings of the skydiver of Seventhsky Sylt will also be spectacular. The audience will wait with bated breath for the parachute jumps of the pros on both Fridays (24th & 31st July) as well as on Tuesday and Wednesday (28th & 29th July), provided it is good weather. Stephanie Schneider, organiser and CEO of the Schneider Event GmbH, is a passionate skydiver as well and completed her license three years ago. When asked, if she would like to do a landing on the polo field herself, she answered: “Unfortunately I am not good enough for that. At the event, there will be pros doing the landing who have years and years of experience. The skydiver pros have done several hundred parachute jumps. I have made no more than 200 parachute jumps. It is definitely one of my dreams to do a landing in front of such a magnificent backdrop and of so many spectators, but I still have to practice more!”
Behind the scenes
The Schneider Event GmbH was founded in 2008 by Stephanie Schneider, when her father Jo Schneider delegated the responsibility of organising the tournament in Keitum. In the very same year the beach polo tournament in Hörnum was launched. In addition to the organisation of the polo tournaments on Sylt, the Schneider Event GmbH, as a classic agency for arranging events, dedicates itself to the organisation of different events throughout the year.
The Schneider Event GmbH is now supported by project manager Carsten Karst. He is a passionate surfer and look forward to the nice but also stressful time on Sylt. “The short distance to the water is especially appealing for me. I think in between I will grab my board to clear my mind while being on the waves. The island with its many possibilities and multi-faceted people really fascinates me. As project manager I really look forward to the challenges. You never know what to expect when being on the island. The quality of the material has to be very high due to storms. We are prepared for everything and look forward for the event to kick off!” says Carsten Karst.
New VIP caterer of the traditional tournament will be the brasserie & bar “DIE BANK” headed by chef Thomas Fischer
This year the brasserie & bar “DIE BANK” headed by chef Thomas Fischer, who is boasting one Michelin Star, will be responsible for the culinary pleasures of the VIP guests. But Sylt is not uncharted territory for the chef of the gourmet restaurant in Hamburg. For ten years Thomas Fischer enchanted the guests of the legendary “Gogärtchen” with his heavenly creations until he changed to the Hanseatic City of Hamburg in 2010 and took the chef position in the kitchen of “DIE BANK”. Thomas Fischer and his team also were responsible for the culinary delights at the German Polo Masters Sylt in 2011. In 2015 the passionate Sylt fan returns to the island and undertakes the VIP catering at the Berenberg German Polo Masters.
In 2015 Dunkelziffer e.V. will once again be charity partner of the Berenberg German Polo Masters
Since 1993, Dunkelziffer e.V. is fighting against sexual abuse of children and child pornography with therapy, counselling, prevention and continuing education and is financed exclusively by donations. Since 2010, Dunkelziffer is partner of the tournament and in 2015 the association will once again be part of the Berenberg German Polo Masters on Sylt. This year, the German artist Devin Miles will provide one of his works for the silent auction for the benefit of Dunkelziffer. The association will be present at the event with its own booth, where the painting by Devin Miles will be presented during the whole tournament. More of his works can be seen until 31st December in a special exhibition at Landhaus Stricker on Sylt. Devin Miles: “Sexual abuse of children is one of the worst crimes human beings are capable of. Children are not in the position to put up a fight against the physical and mental violence, which is used against them. They are at the perpetrator’s mercy. Unfortunately our society does not provide sufficient support. This is why it is so important that there are organisations such as Dunkelziffer. People who emphatically advocate for affected children and their families and at the same time put pressure on the institutions and remind them to do their duty.” For further information about Dunkelziffer e.V. please visit www.dunkelziffer.de
La Martina is official supplier of the 2015 Berenberg German Polo Masters
For eight years, La Martina as official supplier successfully is partner of the two polo tournaments on Sylt. In 2009, a resort store by La Martina opened in Keitum on Sylt – the only one throughout Germany. The focus in this shop is on seasonal product groups such as polo shirts, shirts and accessories. Bastian Ammelounx, Country Manager Germany for La Martina: “The customers who come to our store on Sylt during their holidays of course have different needs. Here the focus definitely is on casual clothing and not on business.” For 2015, La Martina has planned to consistently and authentically continue to develop its collections. In the near future, a limited polo shirt with an exclusive partner will be launched, which will definitely excite the fan community of La Martina. All products by La Martina can be found on www.lamartina.com
New team sponsor: NET-A-PORTER Group brings NET-A-PORTER.COM and the Men Style Destination MR PORTER.COM to the Berenberg German Polo Masters on Sylt. Since 2011 MR PORTER is the international leading platform for exclusive men’s fashion. Brands such as Brioni, Givenchy, Gucci, Lanvin, ACNE Studios, Burberry Prorsum, Paul Smith, Slowear and Saint Laurent as well as more than 32 more brands can be found on the award-winning website. For the first time, MR PORTER will be team sponsor at the Berenberg German Polo Masters.
Schedule
Friday, 24 July 2015
1.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 15 EUR
1.30 p.m. Skydivers landing on the polo field
2.00 p.m. BERENBERG : LAFINA / POLO+10
3.30 p.m. KÖNIG IMMOBILIEN SYLT : MR PORTER
5.00 p.m. Exhibition program and polo chill-out including music until 6 p.m.
Saturday, 25 July 2015
1.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 15 EUR
2.00 p.m. KÖNIG IMMOBILIEN SYLT : LANSON
3.30 p.m. KÖNIG PILSENER : MR PORTER
5.00 p.m. Exhibition program and polo chill-out including music until 6 p.m.
Sunday, 26 July 2015
1.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 15 EUR
2.00 p.m. KÖNIG PILSENER : BERENBERG
3.30 p.m. LANSON : LAFINA / POLO+10
5.00 p.m. Exhibition program and polo chill-out including music until 6 p.m.
Tuesday, 28 July 2015
1.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 10 EUR
1.30 p.m. Skydivers landing on the polo field
2.00 p.m. Lottery and polo rules lesson with one of the polo players
2.30 p.m. BERENBERG : LANSON
4.00 p.m. Exhibition program and polo chill-out including music until 6 p.m.
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
3.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 10 EUR
3.30 p.m. Skydivers landing on the polo field
2.00 p.m. Lottery and polo rules lesson with one of the polo players
2.30 p.m. LAFINA / POLO+10 : KÖNIG IMMOBILIEN SYLT
4.00 p.m. Exhibition program and polo chill-out including music until 6 p.m.
Friday, 31 July 2015
1.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 15 EUR
1.30 p.m. Skydivers landing on the polo field
2.00 p.m. BERENBERG : MR PORTER
3.30 p.m. KÖNIG PILSENER : KÖNIG IMMOBILIEN SYLT
5.00 p.m. Exhibition program and polo chill-out including music until 6 p.m.
Saturday, 1 August 2015
1.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 15 EUR
2.00 p.m. KÖNIG PILSENER : LANSON
3.30 p.m. LAFINA / POLO+10 : MR PORTER
5.00 p.m. Exhibition program and polo chill-out including music until 6 p.m.
Conclusion of the day in the VIP tent until 6 p.m.
Sunday, 2 August 2015
12.00 p.m. Opening of the event venue, including exhibitors, gastronomy and music. Admission 20 EUR
Welcome speech by Carsten Kerkamm (vice-mayor of Sylt)
Finals for the Berenberg German Polo Masters:
Match for 5th and 6th place
1.00 p.m. ___________ : ___________
Match for 3rd and 4th place
2.30 p.m. ___________ : ___________
Match for 1st and 2nd place
4.00 p.m. ___________ : ___________
6.00 p.m. AWARD CEREMONY
Auction Dunkelziffer, Most Valuable Player, Best Playing Pony, Presentation of the trophies to the polo teams
The event location opens one hour before matches begin. The event’s organizer reserves the right to make changes to the schedule. Current information and any changes to the event schedule can be found at www.polosylt.de.
Photos: Holger Widera