A thrilling victory at the 40th anniversary of the event.
The cycles and circles of life have a rhythm, and this was certainly the case last Sunday as we saw history repeating itself as snow fell heavily. This mirrors the snowstorm 40 years ago when the first ever Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz in 1985 was played. Finals Day of the world’s oldest and most iconic high goal snow polo event day saw heavy snow blanketing the frozen Lake St. Moritz on the 40th anniversary event. Ever the pragmatist and always the optimist, Reto Gaudenzi, Founder, CEO & Founder of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz embraced the challenge which reminded him of the historic first snow polo match in 1985 in which he competed. “It is called snow polo for a reason!” he exclaimed. The ever-efficient organisers had a busy morning to clear the snow from the polo field and Polo Village making everything safe for ponies, players and spectators alike. Excellence Magazine was a media partner of this prestigious event.
With over a foot of snow, Mackage and TAOS battled it out in powder polo for The Casablanca Trophy, with players, ponies and spectators alike wrapped up warm against the elements. Good things come to those who wait and after a goalless first chukka, a lofty setup from Nic Roldan in the last seconds of the first half was coolly slotted through the posts by Benji Daniels to take the lead 1-0. The third chukka was free flowing, with an energetic TAOS side trying to get onto the scoreboard, but it wasn’t until the fourth chukka that Alfredo Bigatti found the equaliser. A very balanced match was reflected in the 1-1 score at the end of the fourth chukka and a penalty shootout was needed to decide the winner. Mackage’s accuracy ultimately secured them the win and with it The Casablanca Trophy for fifth place. At the post-match presentation, all of the players received a silver framed picture of the team and a bottle of Villa Sandi, Mackage received a customised Casablanca polo helmet and TAOS received Casablanca knee pads.
As the snow obligingly continued to gently fall, the sun began to peek through the clouds, giving an ethereal light in the Subsidiary Final for The MACKAGE Trophy between Flexjet and World Polo League. The ground was given extra attention before the second match, allowing for a denser and faster playing surface for the all-to-play for second match of the day. The packed stands enjoyed a cat and mouse game between the two sides as they fought for dominance throughout the first half. Melissa Ganzi, who in 2019 became the first woman to win The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz, and her World Polo League team mates gelled perfectly.
Despite Flexjet soaring high and starting the fourth chukka with a goal to bring them within half a goal, 6-5½, World Polo League’s Jason Crowder converted a decisive penalty to secure the win, 7-5½ and with it The MACKAGE Trophy for third place. All of the players received a silver framed picture of the team and a bottle of Beluga Vodka, whilst the winners, World Polo League, received a MACKAGE coat and Flexjet received a MACKAGE sweatshirt. Before guests enjoyed the culinary delights of the VIP tent and the Polo Village, the Chalandamarz pageant took place – an ancient tradition in which schoolchildren from across Graubünden parade with clanging cattle bells, whips and songs to drive away the winter.
Reto Gaudenzi, the Godfather of Snow Polo, must have the weather gods on speed dial, as for yet another year the sky was clear with the sun shining on the polo righteous as Kusnacht Practice and Azerbaijan – Land of Fire lined up for the Swiss National anthem before the Final. Azerbaijan – Land of Fire started the match with a 1½ goal start on handicap, which they swiftly capitalised on, including a searing goal from Team Captain Elchin Jamalli. They were a team truly on fire, keen to make their titles in 2021 and 2022 into a hat-trick. The first chukka ended with a much-needed morale boost goal for local team and 2024 finalists, Kusnacht Practice, which was followed by another at the start of the second chukka – the game was truly on and the spectators were on the edge of their seats – with the party atmosphere kicking off as music pumped over the packed grandstands during breaks in play.
Kusnacht Practice went from strength to strength, cooly and calmly forcing Azerbaijan – Land of Fire into defence. A huge, lofted shot at a seemingly impossible angle at the end of the third chukka from Chris Mackenzie moved Kusnacht Practice into the lead by the narrowest of margins, 4-3½. With half a goal in it, there was all to play for in the last chukka and the end-to-end polo delighted the sunbaked crowds as both sides scored a goal apiece. With less than a minute left, the players changed onto fresh horses to give them the edge in the final moments, but time was on Kusnacht Practice’s side this year as the clock ran down and they ran out with a thrilling win, 5-4½.
An exceptional end to an extraordinary 40th anniversary weekend – here’s to the next 40 years of snow polo in the birthplace of the alpine sport – St. Moritz! Reto Gaudenzi enthused, “What a finish! The sun came out and we were treated to fantastic matches with an unbelievable Final with a completely full house, plus ecstatic spectators and wonderful polo – truly St. Moritz at its best!”
After the match, Kusnacht Practice Captain Eduardo Greghi proudly stepped forward to receive The Snow Polo World Cup Trophy from Anita Mathis, who presented The Snow Polo World Cup Trophy in the first event in 1985. This year’s trophy has been specially created by Faig Hajiyev. Faig Hajiyev was born in Baku in 1957 and graduated from The Azerbaijan State Art Institute of M.A. Aliyev in 1985 – the same year the first ever Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz was played. Isidro Strada received the Most Valuable Player Award of a five-night stay at One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives; The Best Playing Patron Eduardo Greghi received a voucher for five nights at WAMI; Dolfina Aureliana, owned by Adolfo Cambiaso and played by Chris Mackenzie, received the Polo Times Best Playing Pony rug as well as CHF 200 for the groom Nelson Bustaante.
That’s all folks! After a thrilling and epic three days of polo which saw nine matches played in front of over 26,200 people, the historic 40th Ruby anniversary edition of this iconic event drew to a close. The 2026 dates for The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz have been confirmed as Friday 30 January – Sunday 1 February, so to be part of the St. Moritz ‘polo family’ yourself next year, please get the dates in your diary now!
