Unfortunately, we received the cancellation of the traditional race in Bad Tabarz this week. This means that the fifth round of the iXS Downhill Cup planned for September cannot take place. One of the reasons is that the track has been destroyed due to necessary forestry work.

Bad Tabarz is the oldest race in Germany and should have been held for the 29th time this year. However, the success story in the Thuringian Forest has had to take a break, which means that no one will be able to join the ranks of greats such as Bas de Bever or Jürgen Beneke in the winner statistics this year. Below is a statement from the organiser:

Cancellation of the downhill event in Bad Tabarz

We regret to inform you that we have to cancel the planned downhill event in Bad Tabarz for this year. This step is extremely difficult for us, but due to several factors we had to make this decision with a heavy heart.

Unfortunately, our downhill track has been so badly affected by short-term and ongoing forestry measures to combat bark beetles that a complete new construction is necessary and we cannot realise this either financially or in terms of personnel in the time remaining until the race.

We regret the inconvenience and disappointment for many athletes, helpers and supporters that this cancellation entails and hope for understanding for this decision.

We are already in the process of planning the downhill event for 2025 and hope to be able to organise it to the usual extent and to everyone's satisfaction.

Jana Wiesemann

For the series classification, this means that only five of the six races will be counted. All those who have already registered for the series will automatically receive their entry fee for the race in Bad Tabarz back in the next few days.

The effects of the bark beetle infestation can be seen everywhere in the Thuringian Forest. Huge areas are being cut down as the spruce population is barely able to resist the pest due to the drought in previous periods. The organising association in Ilmenau is also fighting to preserve the track. Countless work assignments have already had to be carried out to make the downhill course usable again after the not exactly squeamish forestry measures. The entire lower area is currently being cleared, which will mean another massive effort to prepare the track for the German Championship race. As a spectator, you will probably be able to watch the participants for a very long time.