P O L O I N T H E PA M PA S
Family business Cuatro Vientos takes the prize in Copa República By Lucas Noel • Photos by Sergio Llamera
Cuatro Vientos, led by Santiago Chavanne, won the Copa República Argentina by beating Argentine Polo Association President Eduardo Novillo Astrada’s La Aguada team in the final. The duel for the title turned out to be an attractive match between fathers and sons of two experienced elite players. Since 1929, the Copa República Argentina has always had an enormous and magnificent tradition of presentations by the most important families of Argentine polo. One of only two tournaments in the world played without a handicap limit (Grand Champions host the 0- to 40-goal $100,000 World Cup), handicaps are given in order to compensate for the inequalities between some foursomes, making
the matches in this tournament extremely attractive. This edition was clearly no exception with 16 teams of between 8 and 25 goals representing 11 circuits. Teams from 0 to 40 goals participate, with the clubs disputing a playoff in the different circuits that make up the polo map in Argentina. The winners of these circuits qualify to play the final stage at the Argentine Polo Association venues in Pilar and Palermo. Divided into four brackets, 16 foursomes fight to be the top of their bracket, thus earning a place in the semifinals. The tournament, which always features talented amateur players from the interior of the country, also saw familiar high-goal talent in
Santiago Chavanne, chased by Eduardo Novillo Astrada, cut La Aguada’s comeback short.
40 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
