Cedric Schweri and his Team BANQUE ERIC STURDZA won the 22^nd Hublot Polo Gold Cup in Gstaad. After trying and getting very close for several years, the Swiss captain finally can claim the trophy. This 22^nd final started out quite messy with multiple faults being blown but thanks notably to the talents of Marcos Riglos (MVP) and incredible goals by Nico Lopez Fuentes (riding the BPP), Team BANQUE ERIC STURDZA turned this difficult final in their favor.

Team GSTAAD PALACE claims the third place defeating Team HUBLOT in the first game of the day. During the first three chukkers, the teams were tied, but in the last chukker and within a few minutes GSTAAD PALACE scored three goals in a row, a gap HUBLOT could not fill, leaving the final score at 10-7.

After a stormy night with winds and showers, the sun came out for the semi-finals of the 22^nd Hublot Polo Gold Cup offering the visitors two exciting games.

In the first semi-final, Team BANQUE ERIC STURDZA dominated their opponent Team HUBLOT from the start to end never letting the other team come close to the score (3-0, 6-3, 8-5, 11-6).

The second semi-final started out more evenly. GSTAAD PALACE faced newcomers RIVA. After two even chukkers (2-2, 3-3), RIVA’s captain Mohamed El Sewedy and Marcelo Pascual each scored a goal in the third chukker giving their team the lead and maintaining it until the end.

Tomorrow GSTAAD PALACE and HUBLOT will play for the third place at 1.30 p.m. and at 3 p.m. BANQUE ERIC STURDZA and RIVA will face each other to determine who will win the coveted trophy.

It is one of the highlights of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup. The traditional parade of the teams through the streets of Gstaad has once again enchanted the villagers. The procession made of the bell ringers, the carriages, the village brass band, two Ferraris and most importantly the four teams – HUBLOT, GSTAAD PALACE, RIVA et BANQUE ERIC STURDZA – competing for Sunday’s cup marched through Gstaad’s main street with its picturesque chalets.

Hello Polo friends!

Winter is still there and the snow is still covering our beautiful Gstaad village but the Polo Club Gstaad team is already hard at work to make sure everything is ready for the upcoming edition taking place from the 18th to the 21st August 2016.

We hope to surprise you with some news in the very near future!

Stay tuned!

Sunny wishes from Gstaad

After much deliberation, the officials of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad in agreement with the players have decided the following:

In order to preserve the safety of the horses and of the players, the final will be replaced by a 4-chukker exhibition match.

The 4 team-patrons and the 4 best players of the tournament will be split into two teams and will display their skills safely as the ground has been rendered way too dangerous for a real competition match.

There will be a tie for first place between Team SIR, newcomer to the tournament and Team E.I. Sturdza Investement funds, defending champions.

This decision was taken with a heavy heart as everone involved wanted to give the audience the best posssible polo competition but the safety of all partakers prevails!

The penultimate day of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup in Gstaad was met with heavy rain pounding down on the picturesque Gstaad airfield. Due to the adverse weather conditions and after much deliberation from the show officials, the decision was made to play a penalty shoot out to decide which teams would reach tomorrow’s highly anticipated final. After two tense battles Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds and Team SIR – who are new to the tournament this year – claimed victories and will face each other in the Final to compete for the coveted Hublot Polo Gold Cup Trophy.

Silence descended on the VIP terrace as the first penalty shootout got underway. Defending champions Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds proved too much for Team Gstaad Palace taking an early lead on the scoreboard. Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds’, Ignacio Bello, was the only player to score a 60 yard goal which helped secure his team to a 5 – 2 victory over last year’s runners-up Team Gstaad Palace.

The second penalty shootout was a closely fought contest which went right down to the wire. Team Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA were denied the early lead with Chris Falk’s strike falling just 5cms in front of the line. The deciding goal came from Matias Machado, he took his time as he approached the shot and with a look of determination in his eyes struck the ball cleanly, slotting it perfectly between the posts. The loud roar from Team SIR signified their delight at realising they had secured a place in tomorrow’s final. The final score 6.5 – 4.

On Friday the crowd-favourite ‘Player’s Parade’ returned to the streets of Gstaad. Despite the wet weather the streets were filled with spectators all hoping to catch a glimpse of the world-class polo players as they rode through the quaint village. Following the parade the players mingled with the crowds, sponsors and VIP guests alike at the Hublot cocktail party which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the tournament and 10 years since their flagship watch the ‘Big Bang’.

Quotes:

Team E.I. Sturdza Investment Funds captain, Mohammed El Sewedy said, “It is great to win but of course we are a bit disappointed that we could not have played a regular match for the semi-final. The other team was also strong and in the end it all comes down to a bit of luck. It was a wise decision to play a penalty shootout as the ground has already suffered from the rain.”

Team SIR captain, Andreas Tombor commented, “It feels great to make the final tomorrow, I am hoping for the victory, it would be fantastic to win in our first year of being here. Today it was risky as it comes down to luck rather than performances really. The weather conditions made the shots more difficult because of the wind and rain.”

Gstaad plays host for Polo at its best !

The traditional Hublot Polo Gold Cup will take place from August 15th to 18th 2013 at the private airport of Gstaad Saanen, with the magnificent backdrop of the Swiss Alps, a spectacle that contributes to the reputation of this authentic region of the Bernese Oberland.

Since its inception in 1996, the event has rapidly become one of the most renowned European tournaments, showcasing amazing facilities and top level sport with some of the most talented professional polo players in the world eager to display their talent.

The 2013 edition will welcome Olavo Novaes (BRA) playing with a handicap of 8 alongside Francisco and Gonzalo Fucci (ARG), who both play with a handicap of 6.

Entry to the public is free. Some of the most prestigious brands support the event, such as Hublot (the event’s title sponsor since 2008), Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA, Gstaad Palace, Star Design, McLaren Geneva, a newcomer in 2013, Vicomte A, Perrier Jouët, Star Design, and Nespresso, to name but a few.

Each year 6000 spectators attend the matches and the traditional Friday players parade through Gstaad, and over 1000 lucky VIPs combine a weekend of thrilling competition with gastronomic delights prepared by the Gstaad Palace 5* hotel. The Gala Night on Saturday treats VIPs, players and sponsors alike to great entertainment before the thrilling competition resumes on Sunday for the Final.

The tournament attracts great interest for the media and public who descend from all over the world for a unique weekend in probably the most glamorous village in Switzerland. The question on everyone’s lips – who will be crowned Gstaad Champion 2013?

Notes to Editors :

• The Polo Club of Gstaad was founded in 1995 and the first polo tournament was held  in 1996.
• In 2006 Pierre Genecand became President of both the Club and the Tournament.
• Hublot joined force in 2008.
• In Polo handicap vary from -2 to +10 (10 being the highest level). Only a few players have a 10 handicap, most of them South-Americans (Argentinians for the most part).
• The entrance is free for the public
• Shops will be open in the Official Village on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For further information please contact:

ComPeaR, Magali Dubois Vaucher, press@pologstaad.ch Tel +41 78 608 03 23
Polo Club Gstaad, Marianna Nagyova, info@pologstaad.ch Tel: +41 33 744 07 40
or visit: www.polo-gstaad.ch