One to watch: Lindsey Vonn

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Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn (CP)

Lindsey Vonn

If you just looked at the photos, you could be forgiven for thinking Tiger Woods had reconciled with his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren. There he is, smiling and cosying up to a pretty, long-haired blond.

But that's Lindsey Vonn he's with. The golfer and the Olympic champion skier took their relationship public this week "to limit the 'stalkarazzi' and all those sleazy websites that are out there following us," Tiger said. "We basically devalued the first photos."

A prudent tactic, perhaps. But Tiger would be well advised not to devalue the damage other types of sports equipment can inflict.

Nordegren famously took a golf club to his car after learning of his infidelity in November 2009. Before considering cheating on Vonn, Tiger should carefully consider how much hurt there might be in the pointy end of a ski pole.

Vonn, for her part, clearly knows what she is getting into. She even poked fun at Tiger after he went on TV to apologize for his indiscretions. In a Time magazine article during the Vancouver Olympics, she described a skit she would want to perform if asked to host Saturday Night Live: "Picture Vonn at Woods' podium, blue backdrop and all. 'There's something you don't know about me,' Vonn says in a faux solemn, apologetic voice. 'Tiger, you're like my idol, and I, too, have a sex problem.' More laughter. 'That would be freaking funny.' "

Tiger has assured her he will never cheat again, according to reports. Nevertheless, Vonn might want to keep her ski equipment handy if she hopes to keep this relationship from going downhill.

-- David Connors

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 23, 2013 J14