Kick-off for the 20th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel (01/13/2023) – Thanks to beats and Bentleys, the whole of Kitzbühel should now know: On Thursday evening, the 20th Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup was kicked off with the traditional Players Presentation in front of the Hotel zur Tenne. Automotive sponsor Bentley drove the eight teams through the center of Kitzbühel to the Hotel zur Tenne, moderated by “the Voice of Polo” Jan-Erik Franck and beats by DJ Erok. The teams and players were presented to the public to thunderous applause.

The first game, Team Bentley vs. Team World Polo League, started at 11:30 a.m. after the extensive preparation of the mountain gravel playing field. Due to the different handicaps of the teams, Team World Polo League went into the first chukker with a goal advantage of 1½. In the end, the World Polo League team held onto half a point and won the close game 7 ½ to 7.

While the players and the valuable polo ponies gave their all on the field, the VIP guests were able to enjoy the high-quality buffet with a glass of champagne or rosé. Around 500 guests, including personalities from local politics and society, followed the first four games with excitement.

The Intocast team, with Austrian team captain Matthias Normann, quickly marked their presence against Team Engel & Völkers (TC Henrique Schalldach) with a 3-0 after only the first chukka. In the end, Normann's team showed what they still have in mind for this tournament with a 6-2.

The second half of the match day was started by Team Bodvar (TC Daniel Deistler) and the team of the title sponsor Bendura Bank (TC Philip de Groot). In a hard-fought game, the Dutchman's team, Adrian Laplacette (ARG) and Tito Gaudenzi (CH), won their opening game of the anniversary tournament with a score of 8.5 – 8 thanks to a late goal by Adrian Laplacette.

Finally, Hugo Baldwin's Team Mackage beat German Sebastian Schneberger and Team Veuve Clicquot 7 to 4 1/2. After Fridays results, the matches for Saturday are as follows:

10:30 am Team Bentley vs. Team Engel & Völkers

11:45 am Team Bodvar vs. Veuve Clicquot

13:00 pm Team World Polo League vs. Team Intocast

2:45 pm Team Bendura Bank vs. Team Mackage