Ultra-Competitive Ylvisaker Cup Kicks Off with Blockbuster Doubleheader
on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at International Polo Club Palm Beach
WELLINGTON, FL (January 23, 2007) – The Ylvisaker Cup presented by Cartier begins with a blockbuster doubleheader on Wednesday, January 31, highlighted by the a meeting of two high-goal women patrons at International Polo Club Palm Beach when perennial powerhouse Bendabout plays Laurence-Wallace at 1 p.m.
The second game pits 2006 runner-up Skeeterville against Privilege/Gracida International at 3 p.m.
Two-goaler Gillian Johnston is the patron of Bendabout, which has played every year at International Polo Club since its inception. Ten-goaler Miguel Novillo Astrada of Argentina captains Bendabout. They will be joined by 7-goaler Alejandro Novillo Astrada and 2-goaler Will Johnston.
Elizabeth Iorio, a 0-goaler, is the patron of Laurence-Wallace, which is making its high-goal debut at IPC. Laurence-Wallace is led by 9-goaler Mike Azzaro, the highest-rated American player. They are joined by 7-goaler Luis Escobar and 5-goaler Pelon Escapite.
Defending champion New Bridge La Dolfina, led by superstar 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, opens defense of its title on Thursday (Feb. 1) as the middle game of a tripleheader.
Thirteen teams have entered the 22-goal Ylvisaker Cup presented by Cartier, the second tournament of the 2007 season at International Polo Club. The Ylvisaker Cup presented by Cartier final is scheduled for Sunday, February 18 at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field.
The Ylvisaker Cup in named in honor of William T. “Bill” Ylvisaker, a polo pioneer who founded Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in the late 1970s, bringing the sport to the forefront in Palm Beach County. A former Chairman of the USPA, Ylvisaker was elected into the Polo Hall of Fame in 1996. Ylvisaker has won numerous major polo tournaments, including the prestigious U.S. Open in 1972.
The polo matches are open to the public. General admission for the Sunday games at International Polo Club Palm Beach is $10 for adults. Children under 12 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game or in advance at the stadium box office.
International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For information, directions or ticket purchases, please call the club at (561) 204-5687 or visit the website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Ylvisaker Cup Schedule
Wednesday, January 31
Laurence-Wallace vs. Bendabout, 1 p.m.
Skeeterville vs. Privilege/Gracida International, 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 1
San Saba vs. Patagones, 10 a.m.
New Bridge La Dolfina vs. Pony Express, 1 p.m.
Audi vs. Broncos, 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 3
BTA vs. Loser of Laurence-Wallace-Bendabout, 1 p.m.
Black Watch vs. Loser of Skeeterville-Privilege/Gracida International, 3 p.m.
Sunday, February 4
Lechuza Caracas vs. Loser of San Saba-Patagones, 10 a.m.
Loser of New Bridge La Dolfina-Pony Express vs. Loser of Audi-Broncos, 12 noon (Game 3)
Winner of New Bridge La Dolfina-Pony Express vs. Winner of Audi-Broncos, 3 p.m. (Game 4)
Wednesday, February 7
BTA vs. Winner of Laurence-Wallace-Bendabout, 1 p.m.
Lechuza Caracas vs. Winner of San Saba-Patagones, 3 p.m.
Thursday, February 8
Black Watch vs. Winner of Skeeterville-Privilege/Gracida International, 1 p.m.
Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4, 3 p.m.
Saturday, February 10 – Quarterfinals TBA
Sunday, February 11 – Quarterfinals TBA
Semifinals
Thursday, February 15
QF Game 1 Winner vs. QF Game 3 Winner, 1 p.m.
QF Game 2 Winner vs. QF Game 4 Winner, 3 p.m.
Sunday, February 18
Championship Game, 3 p.m.
Past champions
2006 – New Bridge La Dolfina defeated Skeeterville 15-14
2005 – Pony Express defeated Airstream 11-6
2004 – Crab Orchard defeated Black Watch 13-8
2003 – C Spear defeated Outback 11-9
Ylvisaker Cup rosters:
Audi – Marc Ganzi (1), Juan Bollini (7), Gonzalito Pieres (9), Brandon Phillips (5)
Bendabout – Gillian Johnston (2), Miguel Novillo Astrada (10), Alejandro Novillo Astrada (7), Will Johnston (2)
Black Watch – Neil Hirsch (0), Nacho Figueras (6), Facundo Pieres (10), Nicolas Pieres (5)
Broncos – Lord Milford Haven (1), Naco Taverna (5), Lucas Monteverde (9), Silvestre Donovan (7)
BTA – Kelly Beal (1), Daniel Roenisch (5), Jeff Hall (8), Fred Mannix Jr. (7)
Laurence-Wallace – Elizabeth Iorio (0), Mike Azzaro (9), Pelon Escapite (5), Luis Escobar (7)
Lechuza Caracas – Victor Vargas (1), Pite Merlos (9), Piki Alberdi (8), Santiago Allaria (4)
New Bridge La Dolfina – Russ McCall (0), Matias Magrini (9), Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Martin Valent (3)
Patagones – Gonzalo Avendano (2), Carlos Avendano (6), Michel Dorignac (7),
Guille Aguero (7)
Pony Express – Bob Daniels (0), Nicolas Roldan (8), Gonzalo Von Wernich (7), Tomas Goti (6)
Privilege/Gracida International – Carlitos Gracida (0), Kris Kampsen (6)/Julio Gracida (5), Carlos Gracida (9), Roberto Gonzales (6)
San Saba – Tommy Lee Jones (0), Toto Collardin (7), Javier Novillo Astrada (9), TBA
Skeeterville – Skeeter Johnston (2), Julio Arellano (8), Owen Rinehart (8), Stevie Orthwein Jr. (4)