Not only the weather has been rather gloomy in the last few days, but also the news that unfortunately reached us regarding the PROPAIN Rookies Cup in Steinach. Due to the bad winter, the organiser had to file for bankruptcy and so the race at the beginning of August has been cancelled.

Immediately after the winter, it was reported in various media that the operator of the Ski & Bike Arena Steinach had to file for insolvency. The reason was that the difficult weather situation led to high costs and little income. As a result, the company got into difficulties and is now externally controlled due to the insolvency proceedings.

The appointed insolvency administrator has now informed us that the iXS Downhill Cup will still be held in a fortnight' time, but that the PROPAIN Rookies Cup, which was scheduled for later, will no longer take place. This means that the opening of registration, which was planned for today, Tuesday, will not take place. The entry fees that have already been paid as part of the series registrations will be automatically refunded.

The classification will continue to comprise four races, but there will now be no cancelled results. The series will therefore consist of four races this year: Winterberg, Oberhof, Saalbach and Schladming. We hope for the understanding of those affected, but would like to point out once again that the organiser cannot be blamed. Last but not least, it was the organiser who in the past, especially during the difficult Corona period, had held up the flags of downhill sport and organised a race for young talent as well as the German Championships.

We hope to be able to regularly host our series at Bikepark Steinach again in the future, as millions have been pledged in funding for the structural expansion of the arena. Who will then be the operator of the modernised facility is still up in the air.