Home Team Success on the Frozen Lake

Between 24 – 26 January, the heart of the Engadin Valley was alight with snow polo action, as St. Moritz once again welcomed thousands upon thousands of snow polo fans for The 36th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz.

With four teams competing, this year’s tournament was as closely fought as ever, but it was St. Moritz and the might of Azerbaijan – Land of Fire who found themselves in the Final yesterday afternoon. Having faced each other the day before, ending on a very close score, both teams knew the measure of the other, making the outcome hard to predict. The Azeris started with a half goal handicap advantage, but it was St. Moritz, wearing the eye-catching red shirts, who found the posts first, ending the first half 2-½. Following the half-time break, the Azeris came back with a vengeance, but with the wind picking up, they only made it through the posts once, to one in response from St. Moritz, ahead of the final period. Robert Strom, for St. Moritz, made the last chukka his own, controlling the play, making play in the challenging conditions look effortless. His efforts were rewarded with a fourth and final goal for his St. Moritz side, and with it the 2020 victory.
Awards were aplenty at the presentations, with the four St. Moritz team members each receiving a Mille Miglia Chopard watch, as well as the coveted trophy. The Best Playing Patron award was presented to Fabio Meier, from Team Maserati whilst the Polo Times Best Playing Pony was awarded to Casanova, played by Nacho Gonzalez in the fourth chukka of the Final and finally, Brit Max Charlton was named Most Valuable Player.
If you weren’t lucky enough to attend this year, fear not as the date for the 2021 tournament is already set! The frozen lake of St. Moritz will once again welcome The Snow Polo World Cup between 29 – 31 January 2021 and we cannot wait!
The 36th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz Final Teams:
St. Moritz (17): Valery Mishchenko (0), Robert Strom (5), Max Charlton (6) & Nacho Gonzalez (6)
Azerbaijan Land of Fire (15): Elcin Jamalli (2), Pato Bolanterio (4), Agustin Kronhaus (3) & Santiago Marambio (6)
 
Photograph: St. Moritz win The 36th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz. By Kathrin Gralla – www.der-rote-drache.de

Courtesy of Polo Times