PRESS RELEASE
SNOW POLO PREMIERE IN MOZART LAND SALZBURG
POLO-ACTION
AT THE MONTE CARLO OF THE ALPS
Vienna/Salzburg February 2015: For the first time ever in the history of the county of
Salzburg the fastest team sport in the world – POLO – will be played on snow from
February 27th until March 1st. Made possible by the engagement and commitment of the
Bad Gastein Tourism Association, the Hoteldorf Grüner Baum in the beautiful Kötsch Valley
will host the next PIPA Snow Polo Championship Tour event. Four of the best „non patron
based“ snow polo national teams will show action, drive and team spirit at its best – at no
entrance fee!
„We are delighted that we could get Salzburg on our tour calendar as the Mozart Country
has a long tradition in horse riding and hosts some highly recognized events of
international importance such as the Mevisto Indoors !“ states Dr. Uwe Seebacher,
president of the Polo Instructor and Player Association (PIPA). The event location is the
BIO-Hotel Grüner Baum of Max and Sigi Blumschein.
The snow arena will have 30 x 80 meters and the four teams will play with each two
players. „We will set up a little wodden hut village and create a winter wonderland
atmosphere in order to provide the perfect scenery for this stylish and spectacular sport
event!“ explains Sigi Blumschein from the Hoteldorf Grüner Baum.
Large-scale preparation is necessary for making this event happen. 600 cubical meters
of snow are taken from the Red Bull Playstreet event directly to the „A Quechua World of
Polo Snow Arena“. „PIPA very much cares for the ecological footprint of the tour events
by reusing already existing artificial snow and scheduling the events in consideration of
such infrastructural and environmental aspects!“ states Christain Adam, VP Marketing
with PIPA. Best example for this responsibility is the reusage of the FIS Ski World Cup
arena and infrastructure at Munich Olympicparc for the PIPA tour start beginning of
Januray, which is by far the largest snow polo event in the world.
Doris Höhenwarther, General Manager of the Bad Gastein Tourism Association: „We are
more than happy and excited that we would win the tender for hosting one event, as the
PIPA Snow Polo Championship Tour events are globally visible and well promoted
which is one of the reasons why the entire region will sustainably and significantly profit
from this touristic light tower project!“
Besides Bad Gastein and Seefeld also the famous Munich Olympicparc and other famous
winter ski resorts belong to the tour. „Gröden was finally taken off the tour as the local
organization could not guarantee the fullfillment of our requirements in regard to
different aspects! We are now evaluating the options for the 2015 tour final“ comments
Seebacher.
The first polo ponies will arrive on Wednesday, February 25th, at Bad Gastein. On
Thursday the snow arena will be open for an official training. The teams might take the
opportunity to acquaint the ponies with the local setting.
The Teams
DEUTSCHLAND
1. Stefan Coszma
2. Joe Reinhard
Team Handicap
2
2
4
ENGLAND
1. Chris Völkers
2. Tim Ward
Team Handicap
1
5
6
ÖSTERREICH
1. Benjamin Darroux
2. Uwe Seebacher
Team Handicap
3
3
6
SLOWAKEI
1. Alexandra Bencikova/Pavel Ivanyi
2. Ladislav „Sheriff“ Agardi
Team Handicap
1
3
4
The Program
Thursday, 26.2.2015
11.00
Press Meeting and announcement of playing times (Grüner Baum)
12.00 – 16.00
Official training at A Quechua Snow Arena
19.00
Official Opening Ceremony and team presentation
at Hotel Grüner Baum
Friday, 27.2.2015
11.00
12.00
13.00 – 17.00
20.00
Captains Meeting at Hotel Grüner Baum
Start of official program
Games day 1
„Polo Meets Lederhosen“ (traditional clothing, Grüner Baum)
Saturday, 28.2.2015
12.00
Start of official program
13.00 – 17.00
Games day 2
20.00
„Polo Meets Belle Epoque“ (Black Tie Evening, Ginger n Gin/Casino)
Sunday, 1.3.2015
12.00
13.00 – 14.00
14.00 – 15.00
15.30
Start official program
Small final
Big final
Winners Ceremony
Further information:
Press, Media and accreditation:
eMail: [email protected]
Local Representative:
eMail: [email protected]
Sponsoring and Marketing:
eMail: [email protected]
Tournament:
eMail: [email protected]