Affluent Page Magazine   Sports Edition

From July 18^th to August 22^nd, the Bridgehampton Polo Club will host the 2010 Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge.

This six-week challenge is one of the most prominent of its kind and offers the most coveted prizes in the sport of Polo. Matches take place every Saturday at Two Trees Farm in Bridgehampton, NY and begin promptly at 4pm when the host throws the ball onto the field – each week is a different host. Accompanying the host for the ceremonious kick off each week is the CEO of BMW.  (Hosts are usually event sponsors; a few of this year’s include Piaget, Blue Star Jets, Coca-Colo, Stoli Elit and Riva Yachts.)

Hosts of the event say that spectators are usually three deep at the fences poised to watch some of the world’s greatest equestrian athletes. This year’s challenge will feature eight “high goal” teams such as the Black Watch, Equuleus, and White Birch. High goal teams are those rated at 20 goals – also, the fastest paced and most exciting to watch.

Though the match is the main event and what brings in the crowd, the real party takes place within the VIP tent. The elaborate tent has several lounges with fully stocked bars, first class dining and luxury product giveaways. To obtain a coveted spot within the tent, guests must either be an event sponsor or receive an invitation.

Last year’s Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge attracted such famous faces as Nicky Hilton, Owen Wilson and Tom Brady. It is truly a high-status “who’s who” in terms of the Hampton’s social scene.

“Guests definitely enjoy themselves in the Tent,” said Bridgehampton Polo Club’s Managing Director, Leighton S. Jordon, of the event. “[They] have the benefit of watching the best polo in the country, while conversing with friends and enjoying a party.”

General admission to the match is $20 per car with all proceeds benefitting the South Fork Breast Health Coalition.

[Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge]

Taking motorcycle safety to the next level, auto gear manufacturer Alpinestars has developed new airbag technology for what will be one of the most advanced suits ever: the Tech Air Race motorcycle suit.
Although airbags in motorcycle suits are not all that new, this particular suit features a huge breakthrough in the technology. The entire system is controlled by a high-tech electronic brain, and is small enough to fit into the Electronic Airbag Protection suit.

Because it is hard to predict mathematically – the language of technology – when a crash will occur, the electronic brain uses a complicated set of algorithms that observe the rider’s every move. To prevent the airbag from deploying prematurely, the technology is equipped with five levels of programming.

When not riding on the motorcycle, the suit acts as any other piece of clothing. It does not “power-up” until it senses movement from the rider and the engine. Once armed, it takes only eight milliseconds – 0.008 seconds – for the electronic brain to determine if a crash is oncoming. Once the brain sends out the message to the seven censors placed all over the suit, the censors trigger the airbag system, which then takes 50 milliseconds.
Fully inflated for roughly five seconds, it will completely deflate 25 seconds later. A cold charge of nitrogen is set off by the suit’s two separate cylinders, which can re-set itself in one minute. The entire airbag system is hooked up to a GPS tracker to help determine where the crash occurred.

Currently, professional motorcycle racers such as Ben Spies, Mika Kallio, and Dani Predrosa are testing and data logging the suits at MotoGP races. The suit has been tested on both internal combustion engine-powered machines as well ones run by electric motor.
Alpinestars has projected the first consumer-ready suits to be available by June 2011. While the initial suits are strictly for motorcycle riding, Alpinestars plans to produce Tech Air technology for street racing and off-roading.

Full price has not been announced as of yet, although the technology is expected to add about $2,500 to the cost of a regular suit. Alpinestar’s most expensive suit – the Supertech Suit – is priced at $1,700, and is among the most lightweight on the market.

With summer approaching, it seems like a perfect time for luxury designer Marc Jacobs to take to the sea with his Marc Jacobs Surfboard.

Featuring a clash of a vibrant blue with yellow, the Surfboard design creates an image resembling a shore line. The Jacobs name is intermingled among the Ying-Yang symbol as well as others. Made from foam and fiberglass, this surfboard does a great job of incorporating more traditional surf style graphics than other luxury brands.