Valletta, Malta - An inspection for would-be illegal immigrants dashed an Italian yacht's chances of winning a race over the weekend, the Maltese army confirmed Wednesday.

The Este 31's hopes of winning the Hammamet-Malta Melita Cup evaporated when it was stopped for at least half-an-hour by a Maltese army patrol boat two nautical miles from the Mediterranean island.

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

An army spokesman confirmed the incident, saying it was a routine check by the maritime squad.

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.(dpa)