WELLINGTON, FL – February 22, 2013 — Audi and Coca-Cola renewed their longtime polo rivalry Friday in the 26-goal season-opening CV Whitney Cup at Isla Carroll West.
In a hard-fought, physical game that featured Audi team captain Marc Ganzi forced to leave the game after the first half with a possible fractured thumb, Audi mounted a late comeback, but fell short losing to Coca-Cola, 11-7.
Audi, still in the midst of the 20-goal season preparing for Sunday’s final against Coca-Cola in the Ylvisaker Cup, switched gears with a different lineup and needed time to make the transition.
Grand Champions Polo Club-based Audi, with brothers Gonzalito and Nico Pieres, American Jeff Hall and Ganzi fell behind early, 3-0, in the opening chukker and came within one goal (4-3 in the second chukker) but were unable to overtake the lead for the remainder of the game.
There were some flashes of outstanding play on Audi’s part including big hits from the playmaking Pieres brothers, but unforced errors and missed scoring opportunities worked against Audi.
Ganzi, with some outstanding back hits and defensive plays, came up with a big defensive stop on Coca Cola’s Julio Arellano penalty-four scoring attempt at the end of the third chukker, but it may have been a costly one. Ganzi was hit with Arellano’s ball injuring his thumb.
After being treated in the players’ tent by Audi trainer Jeremy Fedoruk, Ganzi returned to finish the first half wearing a thumb brace but was in obvious pain and unable to hold a mallet.
Ganzi left immediately after the game to undergo x-rays and determine the extent of the injury. He may be sidelined between two and six weeks depending on the severity of the injury, Fedoruk said.
Fifteen-year-old Manuel Jimenez Villamil, a top juniors player who replaced Lechuza Caracas’ Victor Vargas in the Feb. 20th 20-goal game against Coca-Cola, was called on to replace Ganzi in the second half.
Villamil, wearing blue jeans and Audi No. 1 red jersey held his own against the more-experienced players in his first 26 goal game.
“I was sitting in the crowd over there watching the game when they called me to play for the second half,” Villamil said.
“I was very excited to play,” Villamil said. “I wanted to play well; I am sorry we couldn’t win at the end. This was a good opportunity for me. I don’t know if I am playing again on Sunday.”
Nico Pieres Audi led scoring with five goals. Gonzalito Pieres scored on a penalty shot and Jeff Hall scored from the field in the sixth chukker.
Coca-Cola’s Sebastian Merlos, still nursing broken ribs suffered in a polo game two weeks ago, scored three goals; Julio Arellano scored three goals, Sugar Erskine had three goals and team captain Gillian Johnston had two goals.
Audi will return to the practice field to prepare for the prestigious USPA Piaget Gold Cup that begins March 5.
In other Friday CV Whitney games, Lechuza Caracas outlasted Orchard Hill, 10-9, in overtime and Alegria defeated Piaget, 14-6.
The CV Whitney Cup is the first jewel of America’s Triple Crown of polo.
Valiente I is defending champion of the CV Whitney Cup after defeating Valiente II, 10-8, in the final that featured father vs. son player-padrones with father Bob Jornayvaz prevailing for the win. Polito Pieres of Valiente I was named Most Valuable Player. Valiente returns with only one team this season featuring 10-goalers Pelon Stirling and Adolfo Cambiaso.
The CV Whitney Cup was created in 1979 and first played at the Retama Polo Center in San Antonio, Texas where it was the handicap counterpart to the U.S. Open Championship. It was moved to IPC in 2003 and has been held every year in Wellington.
Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney was an American businessman, film producer, writer, government official and owner of a leading stable of thoroughbred horses. He followed in his father’s footsteps as an avid polo player and won the U.S. Open three times.
The other two 26-goal tournaments are the USPA Piaget Gold Cup and 109th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship.
CV WHITNEY CUP SCHEDULE
Wednesday, February 27: Semifinals, 1 and 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 3: Les Armour Cup CV Whitney Subsidiary, 10 a.m.; CV Whitney Cup Final, 3 p.m.
YLVISAKER CUP AUDI SCHEDULE
Sunday, February 24: Haas Cup Final, Port Mayaca vs. Faraway, 10 a.m.; Ylvisaker Cup Final, Audi vs. Coca-Cola, 3 p.m.
AUDI/PIAGET TOURNAMENT LINEUP
Jan. 31 – Feb. 24, Ylvisaker Cup
Feb. 19 – March 3, CV Whitney Cup
March 5 – March 24, USPA Piaget Gold Cup
March 26 – April 21, 109th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship
GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB
WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.
INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch polo during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League Tournament.
Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
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