US skier Hess describes ‘hardest weeks of my life’ after Trump’s ‘real loser’ comment

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.”

The 27-year-old said Trump’s comments had served to motivate him. “I sacrificed my entire life to make this moment happen,” he said. “I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way. I love the United States of America. I cannot say that enough. In my original statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently people didn’t take it that way. I’m so happy to be here, so happy to represent Team USA and ride as much as I can.”

Hess said he had been riding in pain as a result of a training accident this week. “I had a haematoma, so they had to drain some blood last night, and then I had an MRI on my shoulder and that came back OK, just some bone bruising,” he said. “I might have broken my hand, and I’m dealing with a bit of knee pain right now.”

Asked how much it had hurt to be called a real loser by Trump – and then land a good run despite his injuries – Hess added: “I definitely wear it with some pride. I’m just so lucky to be here in the first place and to be representing Team USA. So whatever I can do to make my friends, my family and my country proud, I’m happy to do.”

Hess revealed that he had spoken to his fellow competitor Gus Kenworthy, who also attracted huge criticism after urinating the message “Fuck ICE” in the snow – a reference to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement – before the Games.

“We had a training camp in Laax and we just chatted about it, kind of how we got through the hardship,” said Hess of the Briton. “He gave me some pointers, which was really nice. And he just helped me have a little bit of an avenue to get out of the pain and focus on the good.”

Kenworthy, who qualified for Friday night’s final in ninth, said he had found the last couple of weeks a struggle too. “It was tough. No one wants to read bad things about themselves, things that are threats and violent and scary and homophobic.

“I also took it with a grain of salt. I couldn’t imagine writing something like that about someone, especially on a public forum, anyone who does that has something wrong with them. I think I’m on the right side.”

Meanwhile the dangers of the sport were illustrated when the favourite for the men’s halfpipe, Finley Melville Ives, needed medical treatment for several minutes after a heavy crash. Afterwards one of his closest friends, Liam Richards of Great Britain, said had been hard to follow him down the halfpipe.

“I’d just watched one of my best friends take a pretty heavy slam,” he said after failing to make the final. “I hope he’s all good. The adrenaline that comes out of landing the runs and landing new tricks, it’s the best feeling in the world. Obviously we do risk ourselves, but we signed up for that.”