American halfpipe competitor says he has no regrets
‘I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way’
At the start of these Winter Olympics, Donald Trump called Hunter Hess a “real loser” after the US skiing star admitted he had mixed feelings about representing his country. As he swooped down the halfpipe in Livigno on Friday, Hess delivered his response, flashing an L-sign with his hand after qualifying for Friday night’s final.
“Apparently I am a loser,” Hess said when asked about his gesture. “I am leaning into it.” And asked whether he had any regrets, Hess was just as firm. “I stick with what I said,” he replied.
However, the American said the last two weeks had been the toughest of his life after the US president’s comments – and the abuse that followed. “There was a lot of noise and I’ve never been subject to that type of criticism,” he added. “But with my family’s help, I was able to get through it. And skiing has saved my life, time and time again, and it seems to have done so again. It was probably the hardest two weeks of my life.”
