Lindsey Vonn 'Tebows' After Winning World Cup; Pose Bigger Than 'Religious Implications?' (VIDEO)

(Photo: Rick Wilking/Reuters)
Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. kneels down before climbing onto the podium as she celebrates winning the women's World Cup Super G in Beaver Creek, Colorado December 7, 2011.

By Brendan Giusti , Christian Post Reporter

December 9, 2011|4:45 pm

Downhill skier Lindsey Vonn struck what is quickly becoming the quintessential Colorado sports-pose after winning her first World Cup on a U.S. slope.

She “Tebowed.”

"I said that if I won in Colorado, or at home, that I would do it," Vonn said. “Go Broncos. I did it. Got to represent.”

The prayer-like, kneeling pose became an Internet sensation after Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow started the trend during NFL games.

Vonn reportedly got the OK from Tebow’s brother, Robby, who said the pose was appropriate if she won.

But, what started out as a faith-based celebration has moved into a new realm.

Tebowing now represents hometown pride and excellence in sports, sportswriter Ryan Weyls told The Christian Post.

"I think the pose has surpassed Tebow and the religious implications and will soon become synonymous with winning,” Weyls told CP.

But the Tebowing craze may disappear if the Broncos stop winning or when the football season ends.

“How long this trend lasts is anyone's guess, but it won't be too long,” Weyls told CP. “It certainly won't become the next fist pump or thumbs up.”

Weyls said that largely real-time social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, as well as media coverage sparked by previous controversies surrounding Tebow, fuel the Tebowing trend.

But Vonn is the latest Colorado athlete to strike the pose in celebration of a win.

Soccer forward Omar Cummings, from the Colorado Rapids, struck the pose after scoring a goal in an October game against the Columbus Crew.

It is unclear how many Colorado athletes will continue to Tebow in the future.

“Tebowing will grow more ubiquitous until it burns out,” Weyls told CP. “It's going to become another kind of Internet-enabled, short-term trend we get so much of - like planking or flash mobs."

“Prior to the Internet and 24/7 media, trends took a lot more time to develop and consequently had a longer shelf life,” Weyls added.

Watch the winning race and medal ceremony below.