Snow Play

WPL glistens in polo championships

Photos by Nick Tininenko

The prestigious World Snow Polo Championship trophy

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

Jesse Bray stops Riley Ganzi from scoring.

Far left: MVP Alejandro Novillo Astrada finesses the ball along the groomed snow field.

Left: A mounted rider holds the flag during the National Anthem.

Vinny Sangaline puts the pressure on Nic Roldan.

Traditionally attended by fans and celebrities, this year fans had to watch the action via livestream.

Hilario Figueras gets tested before the games.

teams off the score board until the two-minute mark when Bray hit the target. A desperate attempt by Novillo Astrada in the last minute tied the match to force a shootout.

Each player took a turn from the penalty line. Each of the WPL players connected with the goal, while Siegel-Magness was the only Royal Salute player to score, handing WPL the win. Alejandro Novillo Astrada was MVP, while Sarah Siegel-Magness won Best Shot of the Day. The tournament served as a benefit for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, raising $15,000 through an auction. Items included fantastic Gucci items generously donated by the company. Marc and Melissa Ganzi also donated $15,000 to the Calaway Young Cancer Center. The consolation Aspen Cup for third place went to Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Toro Ruiz) after an 8-6 victory over St. Regis (Tom Barrack, Sugar Erskine, Nacho Figueras). Casablanca took a 4-0 lead in the first chukker with tallies from each of its players. NetJets’ Brand Ambassador and St. Regis connoiseur Figueras fought back with two goals, ending the half, 4-2.

Ruiz traded goals with Figueras and Eskine in the third to maintain a two-goal advantage, 6-4. Figueras made up the difference but his goals were matched by Ruiz and Ganzi, giving Casablanca the win.

The event kicked off on Dec. 17 with a team draw at the St. Regis Aspen Resort. Preliminary games were played on Friday, while teams played off for The High Alpine Cup, followed by a Celebrity Polo Chukker,

on Saturday. The final was played on Sunday.

In the High Alpine Cup, Richard Mille (Alex Potamkin, Juan Bollini, Nic Roldan) doubled up White Claw (Vinny Sangaline, Pablo Spinacci, Horacio Heguy), 6-3, for the title. White Claw narrowly led, 2-1, after the first half. Potamkin tied the score and Roldan struck to give the team the lead, 3-2. Bollini traded barbs with Spinacci to keep it within a goal. But Roldan and Potamkin gave White Claw the one-two punch to take the win. In the Celebrity Chukker, Aspen Valley (actor Sterling Jones, actress Saye Yabandeh, Horacio Heguy) edged ChukkerTV (Gussie Busch, Juan Bollini, Jacob Busch), 3-1. Jones struck first after walking the ball along the wall like a pro. Jacob Busch tied the score but it was short-lived as Yabandeh hit the mark to take the lead. Jones finished it off with his second goal for the win. •

Top Left: Ponies are bundled up; Top right: Jesse Bray piloted the Best Playing Pony; Left:Both Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and Calaway Young Cancer Center took home $15,000; Above: Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Riley Ganzi and Hilario Figueras