Valiente, who made their debut in Sotogrande this year, swept the whole season and obtained the Triple Crown, after their titles in the Bronze Cup and the Silver Cup. The last time a team got this coveted achievement was in 2008: it was Bahar Jeffri's Ahmibah, with a lineup that included Pablo MacDonough.
Led by the one and only Adolfo Cambiaso, Valiente was the biggest team of the season, something they demonstrated today against a powerful Ellerston foursome, with no less than the two Pieres brothers, Gonzalito and Facundo.
The final featured polo at its highest; both teams delivered a fantastic match in one of the toughest finals ever seen, in six thrilling chukkers, played at full speed.
Valiente and Ellerston played a tough, hard championship game, that showed three consecutive ties, 8-8, 9-9 and 10-10 (third, fourth and fifth chukkers, respectively). But luck was on Valiente's side, thanks to Adolfo Cambiaso's unique skills. In the sixth chukker, Cambiaso commanded Bob Jornayvaz's team and took a two-goal advantage (12-10) . Valiente tightened their attack to dominate the last minutes of play, to secure the 14-11 win, to seal a fabulous debut win for the American foursome in Sotogrande.
Score Valiente: 3-2, 6-5, 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 14-11
The trophy presentation featured for the first time the Memorial Javier Novillo Astrada MVP Award, a tribute from Santa Maria Polo Club to the late and much loved player, who passed away last May. The award was presented to Adolfo Cambiaso. Facundo Pieres' One Magnífica took BPP honors, presented by the Consul of Argentina in Cadiz, Mr. Agustin Nuñez. Valiente received the Gold Cup from Mr. Jordi Molla, Ambassador for Save the Children and Princess Beatrice de Orleans, Godmother of the 43 Torneo Internacional de Polo.
Lechuza Caracas won the Subsidiary Memorial Pedro Domecq de la Riva, following a 10-8 win over Halcyon Gallery.