15th "CARTIER" Polo World Cup On Snow

St.Moritz-Switzerland , January 1999

Teams:

St.Moritz, Switzerland, hosted the 15th Cartier Polo Cup on Snow, from January 29,1999. Four teams representing the UAE, England, Switzerland and Argentina took part in the competition held in cold weather with temperatures reading-18 degrees Celsius. 

The Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club Team, represented the UAE, and the event was a medium goal tournament for teams with 18 goals.

Although it was only the second time the Ghantoot team was to play on snow, following their first attempt at the Cortina Golden Cup, Italy in February 1998, it was the first time ever for the team's player Nasser Al Dhaheri to perform on snow.

Ghantoot's team also featured Argentian professional player Hugo Barabucci, the Polo Director in the club, and his countryman Martin Vidou and Dr. Thomas Rinderknecht, from Switzerland. 

Ghantoot made history when they defeated Royal County of Berkshire Cartier the defending champions and former three times World Cup holders.

The UAE team began their march in the tournament facing Trois Pommes, St.Moritz, the host team and defeated them 3-2 despite the enthusiastic support the home team received from their fans. Ghantoot had to meet the defending champions Royal County of Berkshire in their second fixture in the semi-final. Ghantoot last 5-6 after a difficult encounter in which the team's players did their best but lack of experience deprived them from winning the match.

However they still advanced to the final of the tournament on better goal difference and they had to face the Royal County players again to decide the Cartier World Cup winners. 

Ghantoot players were determined not to loose again to the same team and squander the golden opportunity that came their way to win the Cartier World Cup for the first time

Ghantoot started the encounter pressing for an early goal and Barabucci was soon on target only five minutes into the first chukka following a brilliant run. Royal County were on level in the second chukka as Piki accurately converted a penalty. Piki added the secing goal for the defending champions from a 30-yard penalty to give them the lead. However, Barabucci equalized for Ghantoot in the third chukka and combined well with Martin Vido who added the third goal to establish a 3-2 lead.

Piki, Royal County's most dangerous player, scored the equaliser from a penalty following a mistake from Rinderknecht soon made amends and scored the fourth and most important goal that crowned Ghantoot champions of the Cartier 15th World Cup. 

The UAE was jubilant and celebrated the victory as the Ghantoot players faced a warm welcome when they arrived at the Abu Dhabi International Airport with the prestigious trophy. 

Ghantoot