Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz

After a thrilling three days of polo that saw nine matches played in front of over 26,200 people, the historic 40th Ruby anniversary edition of this iconic Snow Polo World Championship in St. Moritz ended. 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.

St. Moritz, Switzerland - The cycles and circles of life have a rhythm, and this was certainly the case on Sunday, January 26 as history repeated 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.

Ever the pragmatist and always the optimist, Reto Gaudenzi, Founder, CEO & Founder of the Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz, embraced the challenge that 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 organizers had a busy morning to clear the snow from the polo field and Polo Village making everything safe for ponies, players and spectators alike.

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 against the elements. Good things come to those who wait and after a goal-less first chukker, 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 chukker that Alfredo Bigatti found the equalizer. A very balanced match was reflected in the 1-1 score at the end of the fourth chukker 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, the players received a silver framed picture of the team and a bottle of Villa Sandi, Mackage received a customized Casablanca polo helmet and TAOS received Casablanca knee pads.

As the snow 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. Despite Flexjet soaring high and starting the fourth chukker with a goal to bring them within half a goal, 6-5.5 World Polo League’s Jason Crowder converted a decisive penalty to secure the win, 7-5.5 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, while 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.

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 1.5 goal start on handicap, which they swiftly capitalized 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 chukker 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 chukker – 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 defense.

A huge, lofted shot at a seemingly impossible angle at the end of the third chukker from Chris Mackenzie moved Kusnacht Practice into the lead by the narrowest of margins, 4-3.5. With half a goal in it, there was all to play for in the last chukker and the end-to-end polo delighted the sun-baked 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, 5-4.5.

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.

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.

The Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz 2025 Teams:

World Polo League (16): Melissa Ganzi (0), Jason Crowder (5), Alejandro Novillo Astrada (7) & Mariano Gracida (4)

The Kusnacht Practice (16): Eduardo Greghi (0), Francisco Belaustegui (3), Chris Mackenzie (6) & Isidro Strada (7)

Flexjet (15): Jonathan Tidswell-Pretorius/Niclas Johansson (0), Pelayo Berazadi (5), Facu Sola (8) & Tito Gaudenzi (2),

Mackage (16): Benji Daniels (1), Grant Ganzi (3), Nic Roldan (7) & Tommy Collingwood (5)

Azerbaijan - Land of Fire (14): Elchin Jamalli (2),Tarlan Gurbanaliyev (0), Adrian Laplacette Jr (6) & Raul Laplacette (6)

Taos (16): Cameron Bacon (0), Dillon Bacon (3), Max Charlton (6) & Alfredo Bigatti (7)