American alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has once again captured global attention, this time by joining a popular viral trend with a daring throwback from 2016. As she intensifies her training for what could be her fifth and final appearance at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026, Vonn shared a nostalgic Instagram carousel featuring highlights from a decade ago — and one image in particular has fans buzzing.
Here are some stunning shots from her iconic 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photoshoot, where she rocked a creative body-painted “swimsuit” on the beach:
The eye-catching post, part of the ongoing “2026 is the new 2016” social media craze encouraging users to share decade-old photos, included a striking beach image from a Sports Illustrated shoot in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In it, Vonn posed confidently with nothing but artistic body paint mimicking a swimsuit. She also added a fun video clip from the same session, showing her knocking out pull-ups while still covered in the metallic paint — proving her athleticism never takes a break.
The response was electric. Fellow athletes and fans flooded the comments with praise, including former tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki, who reminisced about their joint body-paint experience and noted how timeless Vonn looks. Many highlighted not just the glamour but the incredible strength on display.
But 2016 wasn’t all highlights for Vonn. She balanced the glamour with real challenges, including a severe crash in Andorra that February, which required draining her knee — a painful moment she revisited in the post with video footage for context.
Fast-forward to today, and the throwback feels perfectly timed. After retiring in 2019 due to years of injuries, including multiple knee issues, Vonn made a stunning return to competition in late 2024 following a partial knee replacement. Now 41, she says she feels stronger and pain-free than in years, thanks to dedicated offseason training focused on rebuilding muscle.
Her comeback has been remarkable: recent World Cup victories, podium finishes, and official qualification for the downhill event at Milano-Cortina 2026. With the Games just weeks away (starting February 6), Vonn has expressed excitement and confidence, calling it an “amazing feeling” to represent Team USA once more.
Here are powerful action shots capturing Vonn’s signature speed and precision on the slopes — a reminder of why she’s chasing one last shot at Olympic glory:
What began as a fun nod to the past has become a powerful statement about resilience, timeless appeal, and an unyielding drive. As Lindsey Vonn prepares for her final Olympic chapter, she’s proving she’s still very much in control — both on and off the mountain.
