Lindsey Vonn began her Alpine skiing season in November, but she also spent time that month shooting for Sports Illustrated‘s swimsuit issue.
Vonn discussed appearing in the edition of the magazine for the second time (2010 being the other, the same month she won her Olympic downhill title).
“It’s showing that strong, athletic women can be beautiful,” Vonn told media in La Thuile, Italy, after crashing out of a World Cup downhill on Friday. “It’s not just skinny models. There’s a lot of different body types in this world. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. It definitely was hard for me to have the self-confidence to do something like that. I got over it, and I’m learning to be more comfortable in my own skin. I’m proud that I’m able to be among such beautiful women.”
Vonn appeared in the magazine with models and fellow Olympians Ronda Rousey (2008 judo bronze medalist) and Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.
She has said she would be open to appearing in the swimsuit issue again in the future.
