Lindsey Vonn's Sports Illustrated cover shot skis into controversy

It appears some sophomoric individuals have a problem with this week's cover of Sports Illustrated.

The cover features a shot of American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, a favorite to win multiple gold medals at next week's Winter Olympic Games, in what could be considered as a sexually provocative pose.

I can honestly say that I didn't notice the sexual connotation of the photo until someone pointed it out to me. In fact, I think the staged photo is more corny than sexually suggestive.

Of course, this wouldn't be the first time a magazine with a large male readership has used sex appeal to promote a female Olympic athlete. Sports Illustrated is known for its swimsuit issues, so maybe this is a ploy to play up the Games.

What do you think? Is the photo sexually suggestive or do some people have overactive imaginations?

-- Austin Knoblauch

Photo: Lindsey Vonn. Credit: Chicago Tribune via Sports Illustrated