Berlin, Germany – January 17, 2012
A perfect backdrop to fête this historically loved sport, snow polo returned to the Tyrolean Alps for the 10th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup in Kitzbühel. Eight teams battled for the World Cup: Valartis Bank (title sponsor), Audi (co-sponsor), Parmigiani, Tom Tailor, Hawker Beechcraft, VIP Traveller, Kitzbühel and title holder Wintertechnik.
Winners Team Hawker Beechcraft
In a thrilling final, team Hawker Beechcraft with Richard Davis (0), Tarquin Southwell (+5) and Jonny Good (+6) won the title! Most Valuable Player of the tournament awarded to Jonny Good. The phenomenal players from England continued their streak of success with a 13:9,5 victory over the Team Valartis Bank with Stefan Proietti (+1), Matthias Maiquez (+7) (who also won best playing pony – Kaitan) and Tito Gaudenzi (+2). Team Kitzbühel with Mark Hänni (0), Francisco Podesta (+4) and Pedro Fernandez Llorente (+6) were medaled 3rd place. Returning to this competition for the 8th year, German actor Heino Ferch and his wife Marie Jeanette titled 4th for Team Parmigiani.
This four day celebration of the world’s oldest – and most exciting – team sport featured 96 ponies, highly acclaimed polo players as well as international notables and celebrities Hansi and Ramona Hinterseer, Uschi Glas, Werner Baldessarini, Saskia Vester, Till Demtröder, Horst Lichter, and Falko Götz, among others. Over twelve thousand people attended this memorable Alpine winter experience to enjoy a sport steeped with tradition coupled with an unforgettable program of events – on and off the field. On Saturday the 14th, the annual Players Night featured a one-of-a-kind performance by Uwe Ochsenknecht & Band.
“The 10th Valartis Bank Snow Polo World Cup in Kitzbühel has been a successful milestone. Once again, we were able to combined top class Polo in one of the most idyllic sceneries in the world. We were fortunate with flawless snow conditions that allowed for high action and competitive games, along with some breathtaking weather over the Alps of Kitzbühel. We want to thank all of our partners for their continuous support, as well as express thanks to all Teams and respective organizations for their talented performances. We are deeply looking forward to the next decade of Polo in Kitzbühel” – (Tito Gaudenzi, Founder and Principle of Lifestyle Events, GmbH).
More information: www.kitzbuehelpolo.com