Avenue Lodge in the conquest for the Barnes Trophy

For the 6th edition of the BMW Polo Masters in Val D'Isère, for the first time an English team, led by Paul Knights , came and undermined the sacred Matthieu Delfosse (4). Wearing the Avenue Lodge colors they won the Barmes de l'Ours trophy against the Barmes de l'Ours team, who had held the title for the last 4 years.

It took a 6th edition for Avenue Lodge to come and devour the title from the powerful Barmes de l'Ours team, led by Laurent Dassault (0) and his 2 experts in the art of snow polo, Matthieu Delfosse (4) and Patrick Paillol (4). It was an incredibly intense final match, a riveting dual that these two teams haven't had in a final for 3 years.

For the first time ever on the BMW Polo Masters Tour a 100% British team led by Paul Knights (0), Jonny Good (4) and Tim Bown (3), crossed the channel to come and win the Barmes de l'Ours trophy.
It was an extraordinarily impassioned final, both teams constantly neck and neck, (7/7) at the end of the 4 chukkas. It was during the extra chukka, called “Sudden-Death”, where ruling states the game stops after the first one scores, the English Jonny Good, on a masterful back, hit the decisive goal, bringing victory to Avenue Lodge 8 goals to 7.

Third place on the podium went to the BMW team represented by Birger Strom (1), his son Robert (4) and his nephew Alexis Pouille (2), who won with 9 goals to 7 against the Hexis Energy Drink team.

1500 spectators gathered around the snow covered arena to rejoice in the show despite the particularly bitter wind. The BMW Polo Masters Val d'Isère – Barmes Trophy Pro Am is one of the most convivial winter tournaments. The arena, public, atmosphere and the parade down the snow covered main street, as well as the fabulous festival evenings are the basis of this stunning event supported by everyone at the Val d'Isère resort.

As Jean-Yves Delfosse, this trophy's organizer, confides « It's everyone together that enables us to create such a wonderful event and to keep it going ».

Next leg 23rd – 26th January in Megève, then in Courchevel.

RESULTS

1st : Equipe Avenue Lodge
2nd : Team Barmes de l’Ours
3rd : BMW Team
4th : Team Hexis