Crankworx Rotorua – Men’s Slopestyle Event

Updated March 23, 2024, 5:45pm NZDT

Crankworx wishes to inform our fans, participants, and the wider community of recent developments regarding the upcoming Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event scheduled for this Sunday.

The male competitors of the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event on Sunday, March 24, have decided not to participate in this year’s competition. This decision came after a series of negotiations aimed at addressing Rider requests around

Please find the full statement and the press release recording below

FAQs

Q: What is the latest update on the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event scheduled for 24 March 2024 in Rotorua, New Zealand?

A: The male competitors have decided not to participate in this year’s competition, scheduled for Sunday, March 24, 2024. This decision follows a series of negotiations concerning remuneration, athlete support and involvement in weather decisions.

Q: Will the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza at Crankworx Rotorua event still take place despite the male competitors’ decision?

A: Yes, Crankworx Rotorua will proceed as planned with a full schedule of events. This includes the first ever Women’s Diamond Level Slopestyle World Championship event at the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, along with other competitive and community events. See full schedule here.

Q: What led to the male competitors’ decision not to participate?

A: The decision came after negotiations aimed at addressing the male riders’ requests for increased remuneration and better support infrastructure. Despite a 10% increase in prize money for 2024, which has been increased to 37% after conversations, and further negotiation efforts on appearance fees and additional athlete support, led to their decision.

Q: How has Crankworx responded to the male competitors’ decision?

A: Crankworx respects the athletes’ decision and remains committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment. Efforts to give the athletes more decision-making power in event scheduling and weather decisions, and an open line of communication are ongoing and further processes will be put in place to improve these areas.

Q: Will there still be a Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event at Crankworx Rotorua 2024?

A: Yes, the Women’s Diamond Level Slopestyle World Championship event will proceed as planned, marking a significant moment for the sport.

Q: What are Crankworx’ plans for addressing athletes’ concerns going forward?

A: Crankworx is committed to establishing frameworks and processes for giving athletes a stage and decision-making power, along with continuing to have an open line of communication between the riders and the management team. It has become apparent that the goals of Crankworx and the athletes are aligned, and collaborative efforts will be made to advance the sport in a sustainable manner for the athletes and event organisers.

Q: What were the specific demands the male athletes posed to Crankworx?

A: The disagreement involved the establishment of an appearance fee for all male athletes and a significant raise of the prize money across all Crankworx World Tour festivals. Despite offering a 37% prize money increase for Crankworx Rotorua after negotiations, the male athletes decided to withdraw from the competition due to a lacking appearance fee which they demanded for travel support.

Q: What’s Next?

A: After several conversations between Crankworx and the Slopestyle athletes over the past few days, both parties are determined to finding a way to move forward in a collaborative manner between the athletes and event organisers to provide a sustainable platform for the pinnacle of the sport of Slopestyle.

Press Conference at Crankworx Rotorua – March 23 at 2pm NZDT

Official Statement

Rotorua, New Zealand – 23 March 2024 – Crankworx wishes to inform our fans, participants, and the wider community of recent developments regarding the upcoming Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship event scheduled for this Sunday.

We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience at Crankworx Rotorua, with a full schedule of events still set to go ahead. This includes the first ever Women’s Diamond Level Slopestyle World Championship event, along with other competitive and community events that celebrate the rich culture of mountain biking, giving the next generation a platform to ride and compete.

The flagship event for Crankworx 2024 – the monumental Diamond Level Women’s Slopestyle World Championship event, will proceed as planned. We look forward to showcasing their talent and passion for the sport.

We respect the athletes’ decision and remain committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment for all athletes within the Crankworx community. While we have been listening, onsite feedback has shown that some male Slopestyle athletes feel that their voices have not being heard by the event organizers when it comes to weather and course build decisions. Crankworx is committed to giving all athletes a stage and decision-making power by establishing frameworks and processes as well as continuing to have an open line of communication between the riders and the Crankworx management team. Despite a 10% increase in prize money from 2023 to 2024 for Crankworx Rotorua, and similar increases for other Crankworx World Tour festivals, the athletes also demanded the establishment of an appearance fee for all male athletes as well as another significant raise of the prize money across all Crankworx World Tour festivals. Whilst the Crankworx World Tour agreed to an additional prize money raise for Crankworx Rotorua, bringing it to a 37% increase (compared to 2023) after conversations and negotiations with the athletes, this offer has been refused and countered by the male athletes. Given the structure of the Freeride Mountain Bike Association (FMBA) and the framework the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship operates in as a professional sport, Crankworx cannot effectuate an appearance fee or an additional prize money increase as demanded by the male athletes.

We know many will be disappointed that the men’s category of the event will not proceed as planned. Crankworx Rotorua extends its gratitude to our partners, volunteers, and the wider mountain biking community for their continued support. We remain dedicated to the sport of mountain biking and to delivering events that reflect the passion, unity, and incredible talent of our global community.

For those affected by the change in the event lineup, please contact rotorua@crankworx.com