Mountain bike course plans lose majority in Tórshavn council

ÍSF will not take a position on the location of the mountain bike course for next year’s Island Games while the issue is being considered politically, broadcaster KVF reports.

The course location remains unclear after plans to build it at Vesturvarði above Havnin lost their majority in Tórshavn municipal council. The municipality is now examining other options.

Elin Heðinsdóttir Joensen, president of ÍSF, said the organisation had no specific comment and would not become involved until a clear decision had been made. She said the matter was political and concerned the cycling and triathlon federation, mountain bikers and Tórshavn municipality.

Island Games organiser Solby A. Christiansdóttir also declined to comment while the issue is under consideration.

KVF asked whether the uncertainty could affect the mountain bike competition, including whether it could be removed from the programme. Neither ÍSF nor the organiser gave a specific answer.

Elsa Berg, mayor of Tórshavn municipality, said she did not foresee the competition being cancelled. The Vesturvarði proposal must be reconsidered, however, and other possibilities examined. Húsahagi is one option that has been mentioned publicly, and the municipal culture committee is due to discuss the matter next week.

ÍSF and the Island Games organisers are waiting for the council to decide where the course will be located before determining how the cycling competition will proceed.