Lode Dubois from Herent (Flemish Brabant) and his friends have been fined for excessive speed on ski slopes in the Italian resort of Livigno. Italian police maintain the Flemish skier raced down the slopes at over 100 kilometres per hour. Lode denies the feat.
It was in early January that Lode Dubois headed for the slopes of Livigno in Italy for a week’s skiing. "It's a beautiful ski resort, but when we came down the mountain on the third or fourth day of our trip, we were stopped by the Italian police," Lode relates.
"They told us we were skiing way too fast, as much as 100 kilometres per hour according to the police. As there is no real speed limit, we were fined for misbehaviour on the ski slope." Lode and his friends had to hand in their ski passes, along with their identity documents. They also had to accompany officers to the police station to make a statement. At the end of the day, they were each fined 50 euros.
Totally Unjustified, thinks Lode. "I certainly have not been reckless. I had surgery on my back less than a year ago and have to be careful not to fall at high speed. I knew very well what I was doing. Besides, the track was empty."
Still, Lode has no plans to appeal. "I'm just going to pay. Will I ever return to Livigno? I don't know, it's a beautiful ski resort, but this did put a damper on my holiday spirit!"