A Glamorous Winter Highlight at the Highest Level
On Thursday evening, the players and sponsors of this year’s BENDURA BANK Snow Polo World Cup were welcomed in front of the Hotel Weisses Rössl in the heart of Kitzbühel’s town center. Each team arrived in a Bentley and was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the visitors.
Alongside BENDURA BANK, high-profile partners such as Engel & Völkers, Bentley Berlin, Pommery, AIX, Allianz, Acqua Panna/S. Pellegrino, and the Polo Club Kitzbühel are once again supporting the organizers.
Four thrilling matches set the first course toward the final
The first day already brought an initial decision on the road to the final. Only teams that win on Friday will have a chance to compete in Sunday’s final.
The opening match saw Team Azerbaijan, with team captain Elcin Jamali, Nisha Savoir, and Pelayo Berazardi, defeat Team Bentley 7–4. Team Bentley’s captain, Stefan Cozma, who is based in Munich, is using the tournament as a birthday present to himself. He is playing together with his two best Argentine friends, Juan Martin Sarli and Ignacio Boronat.
Shortly before the lunch break, Team Pommery faced title sponsor Bendura Bank. The final score did not fully reflect the match. Both teams delivered strong, evenly matched chukkers, but in the end luck favored the Beh family and Tomas Delfino of Team Pommery. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 7–5.
After lunch, which visitors could enjoy either in the public area or in the VIP tent, Otto Blank, Lukas Sdrenka, and Max Charlton took to the field for Team Acqua Panna/S. Pellegrino against Team Engel & Völkers. For team captain Jan-Hendrik Többe, Helena Schöller stepped in at short notice alongside the Argentinians Agustin Kronhaus and Adrian Laplacette Jr., both of whom have been part of the Snow Polo World Cup in Kitzbühel for many years. Due to the lower handicap, S. Pellegrino started the match with a small advantage, which they managed to maintain until the end. With a 5.5–3 victory, they will face Team Allianz tomorrow, who won the final match of the first day.
Against Team AIX, led by team captain Glenn Lostrito (represented by Juan Redlich Jr. in the second and fourth chukkers), alongside Juan Redlich and Gonzalo Ferrari, Philipp Müller, Nacho Gonzales, and Raul Laplacette Jr. secured a 9–7 win.
Fine catering and great drinks in the VIP tent
In the VIP area, every culinary wish is fulfilled. In addition to antipasti, delicious main courses, and fine desserts, guests can enjoy the best alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages thanks to partners AIX, Pommery, and Red Bull. Limited remaining tickets for Sunday are still available for the VIP tent.
Visitors in the public area are also well taken care of with warm drinks and good food. Admission here is free on all days. The new grandstand on the opposite side invites spectators to follow the matches with an excellent view.