Thoroughbreds on Sydney Harbour
The yachting and competitive polo worlds often collide. Both are considered the past time of royalty but perhaps the shared interested goes beyond that to a deep appreciation of beauty, power and statesman-like competitiveness. In October 2017, Sydney was host to another polo-yachting collaboration when Ocean Alliance and M/Y GHOST II sponsored the World Polo Championship. Add Pommery Champagne into the mix and you have a spectacular world-class event.
From 21 to 29 October, the Sydney Polo Club, located at Richmond, played host to eight elite polo teams – Australia, India, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, England, Spain and the USA – for the 11th World Polo Championship overseen by the sport’s governing body, the Federation of International Polo (FIF). Although the history of polo reaches back to ancient Persia, FIF started in the 80s and had its first competition in Argentina in 1987. It is one of the only sports at an elite level which does not segregate teams based on gender. As they did 30 years ago, Argentina were champions of the 2017 campaign closely beating Chile.
Midway through the competition Ocean Alliance hosted the team players, managers, and the Owners of the Sydney Polo Club onboard the 37m superyacht GHOST II for an evening cocktail cruise on Sydney Harbour. It was a chance for the teams to relax and interact whilst experiencing Sydney Harbour from her best angle – the water. The teams sipped on Pommery Champagne’s finest vintages and took time to breathe before the finals awarded Argentina the victors.
Back at the field in Richmond, guests were welcomed at the various hospitality options including the Pommery Sports Bar hosted in conjunction with Ocean Alliance. Welcoming event-goers to survive summer, Ocean Alliance partnered with Pommery Champagne to offer guests the chance to win a Champagne masterclass onboard a superyacht in Sydney Harbour. Needless to say, it was popular and Ocean Alliance will soon be hosting 12 of the 12,000 polo enthusiasts who attended the WPC for a yachting experience they are unlikely to forget.