Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Michaela Boyle said the decision to postpone the Race is the right one in the current climate.
She said that while there will be widespread disappointment across the region that the city will not be welcoming the race yachts into the Quay this summer, the health and safety of the race participants and the wider public must take priority. She added that Council will continue to review its plans for the Foyle Maritime Festival on a daily basis.
She said Council will continue to work with Clipper Ventures over the coming weeks and months to look at options for facilitating the race to the city in the future.
She commented: “This was not an easy decision for Clipper Ventures to take but I think it was the correct one. I would like to extend my best wishes to the race participants and organisers at this time and acknowledge their proactive and positive approach to putting safety first. We will continue to work with them over the coming weeks and months to review what options are available for the race returning here in the future. With regard to the Foyle Maritime Festival celebrations planned for the summer, we will continue to review this event in view of news that Clipper will not be part of the festival this year and keep the public informed of any changes and updates.”