EDITION 30 // 2017_2018

P e r s o n a l i n v i t a t i o n G a l a d i n n e r St. Moritz Ice Cricket at Badrutt‘s Palace Hotel Please join us on 8 February and contact our concierge another on the frozen Lake St. Moritz. Face-offs between highly-ta- lented teams are eagerly anticipated. “We are presenting a selection of players who are active at international level or who have only recently retired from elite sport”, the organiser promises. “Their number includes former captains, world champions, record holders and numerous stars from the leading cricket nations.” In a bid to further ramp up excitement levels, Singh is banking on old rival- ries: “The bowler is from India or Australia while the batsman is from Pakistan or England.” Jacques Kallis, one of the best players of all time and a former captain of South Africa, is already looking forward to the spectacle: “Playing cricket on a frozen lake will cer- tainly be an exciting challenge.” His team-mate Graeme Smith is also looking forward to the many unfamiliar elements. “The cold, the additional clothing, the unusual surface – but when all is said and done, it’s still cricket”, he adds. Their rival Virender Sehwag, former captain of the Indian national team, is also excited about the surface: “Someone has told me that running on it will be sim- ple. But I’m not so sure. And playing at temperatures below zero degrees will certainly be tough.” So there is still some persuading to be done. “But anyone who has seen the facilities quickly sees their scepticism transformed into enthusiasm”, explains the Indian cricketer Akhilesh Bahuguna. His event agency is working in close partnership with Vijay Singh on the planning of the event. In India, cricket enjoys unrivalled status as the national sport. The- refore, it’s no surprise that a particular effort is being made to attract players and guests from the world’s second most populous nation. At the “St. Moritz Ice Cricket” event, spectators can look forward to action in abundance. On either day, there will be a three-hour match based on the so-called Twenty20 format. This involves each team playing an innings with a maximum of 20 overs. An over consists of six consecutive balls bowled by a single bowler. Between the two innings, gastronomic delights will be served to the spectators. “We also want to create a practice area for the spectators on the lake so that fans and players can come together”, says Singh. On 8 February, there will also be a gala dinner at the Badrutt’s Pala- ce attended by the professionals, providing a unique opportunity to make new acquaintances and meet the stars. “The entire cricket world will be descending on Engadin: from England through India, South Africa and Australia to the Caribbean.” TV broadcasts to the leading cricket nations are also planned. “In India alone, these will attract an audience of millions”, says a delighted Vijay Singh. For Eventmanager Akhilesh Bahuguna aus Indien unterstützt Vijay Singh. Er holt die Cricket-Stars nach St. Moritz ............ Vijay Singh is being supported by event manager Akhilesh Bahuguna from India; he is bringing the stars of cricket to St. Moritz the organiser, St. Moritz is the perfect venue. “Here, there is not just a certain glamour, but also great openness and expertise – to a large extent because of the large number of guests from England and other countries where there is a passion for cricket”, says Singh. St. Moritz has boasted this cosmopolitan atmosphere for over 150 years. Back then, Johannes Badrutt promised a group of English summer holidaymakers that he would pay their travel costs if they didn’t also enjoy a December stay here in the Engadin region. The guests took him up on his offer and enjoyed such a wonderful time that they stayed until Easter. Alexander Mackay, president of Cri- cket Switzerland, is also enthusiastic: “St. Moritz has a magic that is very difficult to emulate. Maybe it’s the hospitality here in the region or the fantastic weather - or simply a combination of all these things!” // T O W E R R E V U E // 19