Players from 12 nations disputed the third edition of the Rovinj Beach Polo Cup, a unique sports, tourist and social event which attracts ever ...
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Players from 12 nations
disputed the third edition of
the Rovinj Beach Polo Cup,
a unique sports, tourist and
social event which attracts ever
more polo fans to this lovely
Croatian coastal town.
ROVINJ BEACH
POLO CUP
Agustín Kronhaus and Santiago
Schweizer, in action, advancing on
the official box. In the background
you can see the amazing city of
Rovinj and its famous dome.
At the end of the street parade, Bruce
Colley and Uwe Zimmermann, organizer
of the event, posed on a luxurious Bentley.
Clemente Marambio, member The matches of the Rovinj
of the champion team,
Adris, performed very well Beach Polo Cup were played on
throughout the tournament. a sand surface on the Porton
Here Johnny Good tags him.
Biondi Beach overlooking
the old town, making this
The organization of the event was a truly unique tournament
a spectacle. Around the court on
the beach, huge structures were in this part of the world.
mounted so that the public was
comfortable behind the goal post.
Twelve nations with their flags participated in
the parade. Here Uwe Zimmermann, Marie-
Isabel Wendeln von Fricken and Billy Steta.
T he exciting 6-team competition that put
Rovinj in the world polo map included
some 60 Argentine polo ponies, as well
as a parade and fantastic entertainment,
culminating in a concert by British disco
pop queen, Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The winner of the final was a local
team from the host company Adris. Guill-
ermo Steta, Juan Clemente Marambio,
Bruce and Davis Colley from the Adris
team fought hard to defeat the Miller
team, with a result of 7:4.5.
The Veuve Clicquot team won third
place by defeating Caprice-Mevisto 8:6.5.
The Bentley team (Uwe Zimmermann’s
team) came fourth by beating the Franck
Dubarry team. Nonetheless, the four
members of the winning team went home
with Franck Dubarry watches as a reward
for their efforts.
The matches of the Rovinj Beach
Polo Cup were played on a sand surface
on the Porton Biondi Beach overlooking
the old town, making this a truly unique
The city of Rovinj is very famous for its spectacular sunsets that fall on the The winner of the final was a
Adriatic Sea. The sky, the sea and its city often take a fine reddish tone.
local team from the host company
The champion Adris Polo Team, made up of Juan Clemente Marambio, Bruce Colley,
Billy Steta and David Colley pep each other up before the final. The team is named Adris, with the following line-up:
after the investment group that owns the hotel chain Maistra Collection, the most Guillermo Steta, Juan Clemente
luxurious hotels in the city of Rovinj, among other tourism ventures in Croatia.
Marambio, Bruce and Davis Colley.
Each of the champion players received a
Franck Dubarry Watch. It was a well-deserved
prize for the best team in the tournament.
The players celebrated their victory but at the Rovinj Beach Polo Cup was played by three players against three.
In this case, the Colleys, father and son, took turns participating in the team.
A lot of picturesque little
streets in the central
part of Rovinj descend
and end on the sea.
Here the Editor of Polo
International Magazine,
María Lía Garrahan,
poses in one of the many
corners of the city that
take your breath away.
Croatia is one of the European countries that is increasingly
receiving more tourists in recent years, for its historic towns, its
seas, beaches and the friendliness of its people. In this bird’s-eye
view, you can see not only the historical centre of Rovinj with its
iconic cathedral, but also its ports and crystal-clear waters.
The Bentley Wein Polo Team enjoyed Royal Crown Caviar,
one of the sponsors of the event.
The Caprice-Mevisto Polo Team
arrives at the central square by
the port, at the Adriatic Hotel
where the street parade ended.
Santiago Schweizer, Denise
Schurzmann and
Alexandra Plenc.
Three sides of the court were tournament in this part of the world. the island, he had to import horses from This is what he told Polo International
completely built for the event. Of Other entertainment and social events the 6 or 7 neighbouring countries which of his plans for 2019: “Of course I have
course, the fourth face was left free to
appreciate Rovinj’s incredible beauty. surrounding polo took place in a huge do have polo, including Italy, Austria, plans to make improvements, though not
arena right next to the beach. Germany, Switzerland and Hungary. in the number of teams, because 6 is the
A few polo tournaments had taken The Croatian authorities have been maximum. But I do plan to improve the
place years ago in the island of Brioni. But working hard at fostering tourism in the organization, the details and the luxury. I also
then for many years there was nothing area and they have achieved a lot. They plan to hold the tournaments throughout two
else, until Uwe Zimmermann saw the couldn’t have hoped for a better ally than weekends. That way, all the patrons from
potential of the beautiful city of Rovinj, Uwe Zimmermann to help them in this different parts of the world can come to play
with its many deluxe hotels of the Maistra endeavour. Zimmermann is a genius organ- the qualifying rounds the first weekend and
Collection. He decided to organize a beach izer. The venue was truly impressive, with then take the week between tournaments to
polo tournament at this exclusive location. LED screens everywhere, a tent for over do the traditional yacht expeditions to the
Given that there are no polo ponies in 400 people, a VIP section sponsored by Croatian islands, and be back on Thursday
Veuve Clicquot, all set up along the beach evening to play the second weekend”.
and facing a spectacular view of the city. This year’s edition included players
Uwe Zimmermann
and his team: from
Switzerland, Cédric
Schweri, his son Maxi
Zimmermann and
himself. They did not
wait for the arrival of
their fourth member,
Johnny Good.
Below.
The entire tournament
was sprinkled with
many shows and luxury
brands as was the
Veuve Clicquot VIP box.
The Mexican Guillermo “Billy” Steta Mondragón, a descendant of Croats, is
passionate about polo and through polo he has travelled all over the world.
Between matches and at the end of each day, there The complete host family worked hard to make the event a success:
was always a different show on the huge stage. Maxi, Krisztina, Uwe and Philipp Zimmermann.
Uwe Zimmermann, the creator of this
spectacular event, has being in charge of
carrying it out for three years. He takes
care of every detail to perfection He is
also a warrior inside the polo field.
The Miller Polo Team
was one of the finalists
of the tournament.
Harold Hodges,
Celine Lawrence and
Markus Schalldach.
The Veuve Clicquot
Polo Team.
Frank Kirsche, Philipp
Zimmermann and
Agustín Kronhaus.
Each of them was
well accompanied
for the picture.
Franck Dubarry
Polo Team.
Narendra Singh,
Marie-Isabel
Wendeln von Fricken
and Abby Pathak.
Agustín Kronhaus tries to avoid a breakthrough The area where this fabulous Bentley and the
that ended in goal by Harold Hodges. Veuve Clicquot Team passed by was a beach
with a huge slope towards the sea. But a major
sand movement process took place to leave
the 100 by 70 meter playing field totally flat.
Another of the many
shows that took place
both at the port and
at the polo. These
dancers wore the
colours of the Croatian
flag, made famous this
year by almost winning
the Football World
Cup in Russia.
At the close of this successful tournament, a great camaraderie and friendship was formed among
the whole group. Nobody missed the final toast and everyone promised to return next year.
All along the Croatian coast, each town has its own colourful
port with small boats that give the place its identity.
Santiago Schweizer goes for a back shot to neutralize one of the many advances of the Veuve Clicquot team.
Each of winners received a luxury watch by polo player Franck Dubarry. The brand bears his name.
The Croatian authorities have
been working hard at fostering
tourism in the area, and they
could not have hoped for a
better ally than Uwe Zimmermann
to help them in this endeavour.
In front of Veuve Clicquot’s VIP box, the teams
from India, Mexico, the United States, of our hotel capacity to the level of four of Caprice-Mevisto and the team that names
the box battled through an exciting match.
Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, England, or five stars by 2020,” said David Flam,
The Republic of Singapore and Eng- marketing director at Maistra. The German Marie-Isabel Wendeln von Fricken
land, amongst others. The referee was The Rovinj Beach Cup attracts many proudly carries her flag. She dazzled with her
beauty from the polo field to the port.
Marcelo Caivano. famous people from the world of sports,
The organization was perfect. It all music and fashion to the charming Istrian
began on Friday with matches every day, town of Rovinj. This year’s guests in-
since there were six teams. The first day cluded Eva LaRue, the American model
they played at night, with illumination and actor best known for her role in CSI
via huge LED screens. Miami, Jo and Leah Wood, ex wife and
There were endless shows before, daughter of the Rolling Stones member
during and after the matches, no less than Ronnie Wood, and Douglas Friedman,
4 or 5 a day. Not to mention the tradi- the American photographer who worked
tional street parade of the teams through with celebrities like Christina Aguilera,
the streets of Rovinj. Donatella Versace and Hillary Clinton.
The closing party included fireworks “Known as the royal sport, polo is
and a concert by internationally famous associated with prestige and elegance
singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Everyone which have become a recognisable aspect
dressed in their best, keeping to the premise of our town thanks to the Rovinj Beach
of “Sparkling brillance”. Polo Cup. It is our aim to take tourism in
“Maistra is continuously working to Rovinj to a new level, and events such as
develop Rovinj as a top destination and this one help us to become an attractive
the first choice of foreign and domestic and recognisable destination for guests
tourists. The high-end tourism that we from all over the world,” said Odete Sapac,
want to offer our guests requires high- director of the Rovinj Tourist Board.
end accommodation, which is why we
continue to invest to bring 95 percent Photos: polobygarrahan.com
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