PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - June 25, 2024 - Polo Team USA today announced that the talented and popular team has won the 2024 International Polo Tour World Cup Invitational. The team won by one goal against Team Ecuador, with a final score of 8-7. In the polo world, winning this tournament is as big as the Superbowl or the Olympics. Polo Team USA teammates include Marcos Mateo Bignoli, Nizar Zakka, Audrey Wilde, and team captain Tareq Salahi. The team, sponsored by Hotels at Sea Luxury Cruises, is one of the few international pro polo teams to be inclusive, with a female player part on its team.
The Invitational took place in South America and was played at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The US players performed admirably considering they were not accustomed to an elevation that is challenging on players’ lungs. The International Polo Tour team is presented by Hotels at Sea Luxury Cruises, & Oui Productions. Sponsors joining the festivities included Bugatti, VISA, Samsung, Monster Energy Drinks, Aperol Spritz, Stella Artois, Mine by Paola Trophy's & Resorts at Sea.
Polo Team USA will move on to defend its title in the 2025 finals. The next World Cup Invitationals, Sunset Polo event, will take place on September 7, 2024 at the Twilight Stadium in Middleburg Virgina.
“What a nail-biting final,” added the number one-positioned player, Tareq Salahi, owner of the Hotels at Sea Luxury Cruises Polo Team and the Polo Team USA Captain. “The game really went down to the wire. We won thanks to a penalty shot. Hats off to Team Ecuador, they were one of the toughest teams we have ever played.”
Salahi added, “As the Olympics are about to commence in Paris, an event that coincides with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of France, we can also reflect on the fact that polo was the Olympics’ greatest spectator sport before the war. The game is seeing a resurgence in popularity especially with women, and we are excited for the future.”
Audrey Wilde, the lone female polo player on the team, who plays the #4 position stated, “This was an extraordinary event put on by extraordinary people and I’m honored that I was invited to represent polo Team USA.”
About Hotels at Sea® Luxury Cruises & Polo programs:
Hotels at Sea® Luxury Cruises is a Florida company owned by Tareq Salahi. It is based in Delray Beach in Palm Beach County. The company is well known for its award-winning cruises and polo sport programs. It offers unbeatable individual suite rates on all luxury cruises, expeditions, discovery ships, and private luxury yachts including groups, conferences & charters.
For more information visit www.HotelsatSea.com and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hotelsatsea_resortsatsea
Corporate sponsors interested in supporting athletes for the IPT® Polo Team USA™ are invited to visit www.InternationalPoloTour.com and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iptpoloteamusa.
Media Contact
Company Name: Polo Team USA
Contact Person: Media Relations
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Country: United States
Website: https://www.instagram.com/iptpoloteamusa
