The final of the 82nd edition of the Tortugas Open made history in more ways than one. Ellerstina Turismo Felgueres had won the opening tournament of Argentina’s Triple Crown series three years in a row, but this year’s final was won by La Natividad by a narrow 14-13 scoreline. The Tortugas title was it that Facundo Pieres, Hilario Ulloa, Gonzalo Pieres and Nicolás Pieres needed to add to their La Natividad team’s successful record. The joy over the victory was correspondingly huge.

Man of the match was Camilo Castagnola, who scored 10 goals for the Cañuelas team. He managed to beat Ellerstina Turismo Felgueres, who had Facundo Pieres as his best value on the day and in this way, the Ellerstina team from General Rodríguez could not extend his streak in Tortugas, where he has 13 titles and 16 finals in a row. The last time Ellerstina was not in the final was in 2006, when Indios Chapaleufú II beat La Aguada by 14-11).

With the victory, La Natividad won its first title in the tournament, as well as the brothers Barto and Jeta Castagnola and the South African Nachi Du Plessis. The only polo player in the team who already knew what it was like to lift the Emilio de Anchorena Cup is Polito Pieres, who won his second title, having achieved it together with his cousins in 2019.

With the victory, La Natividad won its first title in the tournament, as well as the brothers Barto and Jeta Castagnola and the South African Nachi Du Plessis. The only polo player in the team who already knew what it was like to lift the Emilio de Anchorena Cup is Polito Pieres, who won his second title, having achieved it together with his cousins in 2019.

Facundo Pieres received the Francisco E. Dorignac Cup for being chosen as the MVP of the final, while on the equine side, Facundo Pieres’ mare Open Chequera was awarded the AACCP blanket for being distinguished as the Best Registered Player Product Raza Polo Argentino and also the AAP award.

La Natividad (HCP 39)
Camilo Castagnola (10)
Pablo Pieres (10)
Bartolomé Castagnola (10)
Ignatius du Plessis (9)

Ellerstina Turismo Felgueres (HCP 38)
Facundo Pieres (10)
Hilario Ulloa (9)
Gonzalo Pieres (9)
Nicolás Pieres (10)

Photo credit: Matias Caljeho