Class 1 stowaways
 

15/06/2007

IOTA STATEMENT

The opening event of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship in Greece has a sad epilogue, when it was discovered that a number of stowaways had used the Class 1 vehicles returning from the event in an attempt to enter Europe illegally.

At the present time, we have heard from several Teams that upon arrival in Italy, they had the unpleasant surprise of discovering these smuggled passengers hidden inside their race boats and trucks. Unfortunately, one of the stowaways was not found in time and had not survived the journey.

These facts, which have nothing to do with our sport, deeply sadden us – even if no responsibility can be attached to any of our Teams. We can only hope that in future, the border controls will be more efficient in order to avoid any repeat of any such unfortunate episodes and to put to an end these desperate journeys. Marco Sala
General Secretary
IOTA