The 28th Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, from 21 to 24 August, is set to deliver one of the most competitive tournaments in its history, with all four teams featuring top Argentine players. The Friday Polo Parade along the Promenade is also a highlight not to miss.

Polo fans in Gstaad are used to world-class action – but this year’s Hublot Polo Gold Cup is raising the bar even higher. “In every team, at least one of Argentina’s best players will be on the field,” says tournament president Pierre E. Genecand. “It’s a level of play we’ve never seen here before.”

All set – except the weather
Organising his 20th Polo Gold Cup, Genecand says the logistics are running like clockwork – with one exception: “The only thing we can’t control is the weather, and forecasts are getting less reliable every year.” His advice for spectators? “Don’t miss a single match. All four teams are evenly matched, so the excitement builds with each game right up to Sunday’s final.” And on Friday at 4pm, the colourful Polo Parade down the Gstaad Promenade promises its own spectacle.

A new sponsor takes the field
This year sees the debut of a team backed by a new sponsor, Albinati Aeronautics. Founder and CEO Stefano Albinati, a long-time friend of Genecand, is no stranger to Gstaad or to polo. “Many players use his aircraft, so it’s fitting that we have the world’s only polo tournament held on an airfield,” notes Genecand.

Why no ladies’ polo?
With women’s sports gaining attention, some might ask why Gstaad doesn’t host a ladies’ polo tournament. “There are many excellent female players – we even had one last year,” says Genecand. “But handicap calculations differ between men and women, so mixed play at this level isn’t feasible. A separate women’s tournament, as in Argentina, would be possible, but the standard would not be the same.” Ladies’ tournaments already take place in the USA, France, and England.

The Teams (All 14 Goals)

• Team Hublot: Jürgen Schroeder (GER, 0), Adrien Laplacette (ARG, 6), Juan Esteban Uribe (COL, 5), Anton Grabosch (GER, 3)
• Team Kielder Agro: Juan Pepa (ITA, 2), Bautista Bello (ARG, 4), Antonio Manzano (ARG, 0), Nicolas Pieres (ARG, 8)
• Team Gstaad Palace: Markus Gräff (SUI, 0), Thomy Gräff (SUI, 3), Francisco Fucci (ARG, 4), Martin Podesta (ARG, 7)
• Team Albinati Aeronautics: Fabio Meier (SUI, 1), Luca Meier (SUI, 1), Marcos Rooney (ARG, 5), Juan Jauretche (ARG, 7)
  
   

Based on AvS | Kerem S. Maurer