Snow Play WPL glistens in polo championships Photos by Nick Tininenko
The prestigious World Snow Polo Championship trophy
38 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
The Aspen World Snow Polo Championship, sponsored by NetJets and hosted by Aspen Valley Polo Club, was held in Aspen, Colorado, Dec. 18-20. It is the only snow polo event played in the U.S., and due to the pandemic, is the only snow polo event in the world to be played this winter. The event traditionally attracts a packed audience of polo fans and celebrities, however it was closed to spectators this year as the club strictly adheres to all local and CDC guidelines. Players were tested prior to the event and wore masks and social distanced when not on the playing field. The event was livestreamed so spectators wouldn’t miss the action. In what was perhaps the most exciting final in the history of the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada) edged out Royal Salute (Sarah Siegel-Magness, Jason Crowder, Jesse Bray) in an overtime shoot-out. It was the first time both teams were captained by women. Crowder blasted out of the first throw-in to score for Royal Salute. Novillo Astrada responded a few minutes later and a Penalty 1 for WPL gave the team a 2-1 lead. Crowder knotted the score, ending the first, 2-2. Magness and Ganzi traded goals to keep it level. A goal and a Penalty 1 gave Royal Salute the 5-3 advantage but a goal by Figueras and a Penalty 2 conversion from Ganzi tied the score, 5-5. Crowder broke the tie, putting Royal Salute narrowly on top, 6-5, at the halftime break. Crowder continued to pressure WPL in the second half, increasing the difference to 7-5. But a Penalty 1 for WPL and a goal by Figueras evened the score at 7-all. Ganzi connected on a pass from Hilario to break the tie, but Bray knotted it once again. A defensive battle in the final chukker kept the
