The Elealinda team, who participates for the first time at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polo Masters (JLC) played a brilliant tournament, winning the JLC title against its rival and challenger EFG Bank for a score of 9 to 71/2. After winning all but one match during the 10 days of competition leading to the finales of this Sunday, it was obvious that the french formation (David Amar and Pierre Iseux) and complicity between the team members had taken its toll on the other teams. The team truly represented a homogenous “one”, with the French player Pierre-Henri Ngoumou (hcp 4) and the British Tim Ward (hcp 2) as well as our two Veytay members David Amar (hcp 2) and Pierre Iseux (hcp 0) et un habitué de Veytay. In the small final for the 3rd and 4th player the home team Veytay Jaeger-LeCoultre finished 3rd on the podium thanks to its victory against VT Wealth Management, 61/2 to 5.
With more than 5’000 spectators holding their breath, the final of the JLC Polo Masters fulfilled everyone’s expectations. The formation of EleaLinda, for the first time on the fields of Veytay gave the match an incredible speed scoring 2 goals in the first period. The two Agentines of the EFG Bank, Astrada-Novillo and Allaria, were not discouraged by this and fought back resulting in a 5 to 41/2 score board at half time for EleaLinda. However, the last two chukkers were in favour of the winners, thanks to Pierre-Henri Ngoumou, scoring 5 out of the 9 goals of his team, backed up by his fellow team mate Tim ward, scoring 3 goals himself.
The smal finale had an air of déjà-vu, since the home team challenged the same team they met in the finale last year. In this new duel, the 100% Suisse team of Veytay Jaeger-LeCoultre took the victory thanks to Simon Luginbühl, scoring 3 goals and showing an olympic calmness during the penalties shots for his team. He will soon leave with his team to face 9 other European teams in Vienna, Austria, for the European Championships as of September 2nd. The Veytay Jaeger-LeCoultre, present at the Masters this year, will defend the Helvetic colors during this European meeting. This will be an interesting challenge for Guy Schwarzenbach (cap) and the brothers Simon and Martin Luginbühl.
Finally, the Belgium team Kwazulu won 4 ½ to 4 against Lynx Energy who, for its first participation at the JLC Polo Masters, finished last. It was a very successful event on all levels, especially in regards to the number of spectators we received on this Sunday 29th of August. It is thanks to the two new tribunes alongside the field and in the shade, as well as the main tribune, that we were able to welcome so many supporters. It is always a joy for the supporters and passers by to discover the world of Polo, as the manifestation is proposed free of charge by the host.