Engadin St. Moritz Tourism Organisation – Media Information

Top events in Engadin St. Moritz

One highlight after another

St. Moritz, 27 January 2009: Over the next few days, Lake St. Moritz will be transformed into a stage for various prestigious top events. The Cartier Polo World Cup, the Gourmet Festival, White Turf, Art on Ice and Cricket on Ice – such a high concentration of internationally renowned events is scarcely to be found in any other Alpine resort.

Lake St. Moritz is covered with a thick sheet of ice and the infrastructure for the various high-calibre events is in the process of being set up. Kicking off the programme is the Cartier Polo World Cup, from 29 January until 1 February, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. The Cartier Polo World Cup has established itself as the world’s most prestigious polo tournament on snow and is one of the only high-goal tournaments in central Europe. Also known as the “sport of kings”, polo is the oldest team sport in the world.

From 2 until 5 February, the frozen lake will be providing a platform some of the world’s top chefs. Guest chefs during festival week include Thierry Blouet from Mexico, Armin Röttele from Germany and Arnaud Lallement from France. Switzerland will be represented by Ivo Adam. The St. Moritz Gourmet Festival enables lovers of fine dining to experience exquisite culinary delights. Taking place this year for the 16th time, it has become one of the firm favourites on the St. Moritz calendar of events.

Between 5 and 7 February, the ice will be “very British”. Arguably the most eccentric game of cricket in the world, cricket on ice has been held in St. Moritz since 1988. What was originally considered to be the crazy idea of a group of Englishmen and pupils of the Swiss international boarding school, the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, has over the years become a top attraction during the winter months.

The White Turf horse races on the first three Sundays in February are a veritable feast for all the senses, as well as a further social highlight of the season. International horseracing, prestige and tradition have characterised White Turf since 1907. The thundering hooves of the racehorses on the spraying snow during the thrilling flat and trotting races are an unforgettable experience. Another unique sight is the courageous men and intrepid women on skis who are pulled along at high speed by unmounted thoroughbred horses at the only skijoring race in the world.

Art on Ice St. Moritz is an expressive combination of live music and figure skating, performed under the Engadin night sky. On 13 February, top

Engadin St. Moritz Via San Gian 30, CH-7500 St. Moritz Tel. +41 81 830 08 12, Fax +41 81 830 08 18 [email protected] I www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/media Engadin St. Moritz Tourism Organisation – Media Information

international ice-skating stars, such as Stéphane Lambiel, Sarah Meier, Fiona Gabrielle Zaldua and Dmitry Sukhanov, and Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev, will be enchanting spectators with their prowess on the ice, accompanied by the sounds of Voices - The Allstar Project, featuring Paul Young, Katrina and Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew) & Band.

Media contact for further information Engadin St. Moritz Sara Roloff Public Relations Via San Gian 30 CH - 7500 St. Moritz T +41 81 830 08 12 F +41 81 830 08 18 [email protected] www.engadin.stmoritz.ch

Illustrations Magazine-quality pictures for editorial use relating to holidays, sports, lifestyle and scenery may be found at: www.swiss-image.ch Username: engadinstmoritz Password: allegra

Picture credit: swiss-image.ch/Fotograf

The Engadin St. Moritz Tourism Organisation The mountains, the lakes, the light! No matter whether they are sportspeople, gourmets or connoisseurs, or are more intellectually inclined, there are visitors from around the world who only have one destination in mind – the Engadine in the Swiss Alps. The Engadine St. Moritz region offers a full range of sports and recreational activities and local culinary specialities in addition to a fascinating cultural heritage and a vast array of events. There is something to attract everyone to the region, whether it be St. Moritz's vibrant nightlife or the rest & recreation to be had amid its unique and unchanged natural environment. The Engadin St. Moritz Tourism Organisation has been charged with marketing the products and services offered by the whole region to defined target markets. To do this it has around 50 members of staff, including a team of experienced tourist managers.

Engadin St. Moritz Via San Gian 30, CH-7500 St. Moritz Tel. +41 81 830 08 12, Fax +41 81 830 08 18 [email protected] I www.engadin.stmoritz.ch/media