Preview: iXS European Cup in Schladming
It’s time for one of the most popular iXS races of the season! This weekend the worlds’ downhill elite will gather at Schladming (AUT) for the second race of the iXS European Downhill Cup 2015. More than 400 riders from 29 different nations registered for the event at the Planai, promising some hot fights!
![Loic Bruni FRA - Lapierre Gravity Republic]()
Loic Bruni (FRA - Lapierre Gravity Republic) - EDC Schladming 2014 © Thomas Dietze
After the season of the iXS European Downhill was successfully opened in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, fans and riders had to wait one month for this and now we will finally enter into the next round. Last year Schladming returned to the international downhill stage and was awarded a warm welcome by both fans and riders. After all it has been and still is one of the favorite venues the series has on offer. Not even three years of absence could cause the race at the Planai to lose only a slice of its attraction. On the contrary, the standards still seem to have increased in terms of infrastructure after the stadium had been rebuild for the Alpine Ski Championships. All in all, Schladming offers the perfect setting for some high-class sport events.
![iXS EDC 2 2014]()
Interview Emmeline Ragot (FRA - MS Mondraker) - EDC Schladming 2014 © Thomas Dietze
This also corresponds to the picture that is presented in the list of participants. Reading it more makes it seem like an actual World Cup, including all those big names and making it impossible to find the one odds-on favorite. At this point we only want to mention some of them. Of course, last year’s winner and former junior champion, Loic Bruni (FRA- Lapierre Gravity Team) is eager to defend his title, as well as the 2009 and 2011 World Champion, Emmeline Ragot (FRA - MS Mondraker) is ready to do hers. But also some other nations send their best competitors: Brook MacDonald (Trek World Racing) and Wyn Masters (Team Bulls) for New Zealand, Tracey Hannah (Polygon UR) from Australia, Andrew Neethling (Polygon UR) from South Africa, the Canadian, Casey Brown (Bergamont Hayes Team), Danny Hart (GBR - MS Mondraker), Morzine local, Tahnée Seagrave (GBR - FMD Racing) and many more.
![iXS European Downhill Cup 2 2014 - Thomas Dietze]()
Tracey Hannah (AUS - Polygon UR) - EDC Schladming 2014 © Thomas Dietze
The official start of the event is scheduled for Thursday evening with a press conference at the aQi hotel. On Friday, the real action is preceded by the obligatory Track Walk, while the Planai Pump Masters will be hosted in the evening, supported by some DJs and a barbecue session. On Saturday, however, all eyes will be on the 2500 meter track that will push the riders to their limits somewhere along its descent of 600 meters. After some first training sessions, the qualification will start at 2:30 pm. In the evening there will be some more action with another barbecue, a Red Bull DJ line up and the Austrian Whip Offs. But don’t party too long folks, as Sunday will start early with a last training session, before the race begins at 12 am.
As you probably will have noticed, this weekend will be rather packed and of course we’ll keep you posted here and on the official iXS Downhill Cup website!
![IXS Sponsors]()
MENTIONS: @iXSsports
After the season of the iXS European Downhill was successfully opened in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, fans and riders had to wait one month for this and now we will finally enter into the next round. Last year Schladming returned to the international downhill stage and was awarded a warm welcome by both fans and riders. After all it has been and still is one of the favorite venues the series has on offer. Not even three years of absence could cause the race at the Planai to lose only a slice of its attraction. On the contrary, the standards still seem to have increased in terms of infrastructure after the stadium had been rebuild for the Alpine Ski Championships. All in all, Schladming offers the perfect setting for some high-class sport events.
This also corresponds to the picture that is presented in the list of participants. Reading it more makes it seem like an actual World Cup, including all those big names and making it impossible to find the one odds-on favorite. At this point we only want to mention some of them. Of course, last year’s winner and former junior champion, Loic Bruni (FRA- Lapierre Gravity Team) is eager to defend his title, as well as the 2009 and 2011 World Champion, Emmeline Ragot (FRA - MS Mondraker) is ready to do hers. But also some other nations send their best competitors: Brook MacDonald (Trek World Racing) and Wyn Masters (Team Bulls) for New Zealand, Tracey Hannah (Polygon UR) from Australia, Andrew Neethling (Polygon UR) from South Africa, the Canadian, Casey Brown (Bergamont Hayes Team), Danny Hart (GBR - MS Mondraker), Morzine local, Tahnée Seagrave (GBR - FMD Racing) and many more.
The official start of the event is scheduled for Thursday evening with a press conference at the aQi hotel. On Friday, the real action is preceded by the obligatory Track Walk, while the Planai Pump Masters will be hosted in the evening, supported by some DJs and a barbecue session. On Saturday, however, all eyes will be on the 2500 meter track that will push the riders to their limits somewhere along its descent of 600 meters. After some first training sessions, the qualification will start at 2:30 pm. In the evening there will be some more action with another barbecue, a Red Bull DJ line up and the Austrian Whip Offs. But don’t party too long folks, as Sunday will start early with a last training session, before the race begins at 12 am.
As you probably will have noticed, this weekend will be rather packed and of course we’ll keep you posted here and on the official iXS Downhill Cup website!
MENTIONS: @iXSsports
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