AFM takes wind out of racing yacht's sails

An Italian yacht's chances of winning a race between Tunisia and Malta over the weekend were dashed when the Armed Forces of Malta boarded it for a routine inspection connected to illegal immigration.

An AFM patrol boat stopped the Este 31 for at least half an hour two miles off the island, destroying its hopes of winning the Hammamet-Malta Melita Cup.

Skipper Matteo Miceli told Italian media that soldiers boarded his vessel and asked those on board for their documents.

"We tried to explain to them that we were in the middle of the race but they didn't believe us," Mr Miceli said.

The fact that the crew included a Lebanese woman "did not help the situation".

A spokesman for the AFM confirmed the incident, saying it was a routine check by the maritime squadron.

Mr Miceli holds the record for the open catamaran Atlantic crossing in 2005.

Regular inspections for African immigrants attempting to cross into Europe are normally stepped up during the summer months.