American skiing superstar Lindsey Vonn has set the internet alight after participating in a viral online trend by sharing a stunning nude photograph from her past.
The Viral '2016 Trend' Takes Off
This week, a social media trend prompting users to share photos from a decade ago has swept across platforms. Numerous celebrities have joined in, and on Friday afternoon, Olympic champion Vonn added her own remarkable contribution. She posted a carousel of ten images to her Instagram page, offering a glimpse into her life in 2016.
However, it was the very first picture that captured the overwhelming attention of her followers. The image was taken during a Sports Illustrated photoshoot in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines. In the shot, Vonn posed confidently on a shore, wearing nothing but a meticulously applied body-painted bathing suit.
Fans and Fellow Stars React
The reaction in the comments section was swift and enthusiastic. Former tennis world number one Caroline Wozniacki, who participated in a similar shoot, exclaimed: 'Our body paint shoot!! Also, you haven’t aged a day!!!' Another impressed fan noted: 'chin-ups in body paint. I mean, what can you not do', referencing a video Vonn also shared from the same shoot, showing her performing pull-ups while still covered in the elaborate paint.
While the photoshoot was a highlight, 2016 was also a harrowing year for the alpine ski racer. Vonn made sure to acknowledge this, posting a video of a medical procedure where she had her knee drained following a serious crash in Andorra in February of that year.
Gearing Up for a Historic Olympic Comeback
The throwback comes as Vonn is in the final stages of preparation for a highly anticipated sporting return. The skiing icon is gearing up for her fifth Winter Olympic Games, set to begin next month, after making a dramatic comeback from retirement in 2019.
Her form appears to be spectacular. Just last month, Vonn, aged 41, became the oldest winner of a World Cup race since the circuit began in 1967, claiming victory at the 2025-2026 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. She recently provided a sneak peek into her physical condition, stating she is in possibly the best shape of her life.
'Physically, I'm in possibly the best shape I've ever been in,' Vonn said this week. 'And my body doesn't hurt, so that's the best part of all.' She revealed a focused summer was spent rebuilding strength she felt was lacking in her initial 2024-25 return season, having not competed since 2019 before her 2024 comeback announcement.
