We are a few hours from the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and couldn’t be more stoked for the events to start, especially for the recently introduced skiercross event – bumps, jumps and sometimes full body contact racing… what’s not to like?
Aside from unseasonal weather concerns and the staging of specific events, the media is a buzz about Team USA skier Lindsey Vonn, a.k.a. America’s Girl, who is favored to win 3 events. However, I am not talking about her so-called ‘controversial’ cover shot on Sports Illustrated – anybody who has seen a ski racer, knows what a tuck looks like in a GS suit… perhaps they just haven’t witnessed a good looking ski racer in a tuck?
sports illustrated cover shot – courtesy of sports illustrated
I am talking about Lindsey Vonn’s recent shin injury. As of writing, the verdict was still out as to whether or not her shin was fractured, but sources are leaning more toward a very bad case of ‘shin bang’. In a recent gear review we looked at the Booster Strap, a product that aids in alleviating shin bang (boot bang) – I decided to take it a step further and better define things.
What is shin bang?
‘Shin-bang is a general sense of discomfort/pain in the lower anterior portion of the tibia that contacts with the tongue of the boot, especially when pressed against the boot.’ thanks wikipedia
Essentially, the constant pressure of your shin pressing up against the tongue of your boot causes deep muscle bruising, leading to excruciating pain. Based off of my personal experience with shin bang, there is no better phrase to describe this other than it sucks!
Team USA’s Ted Ligety talks shin bang:
“Shin-bang is basically when the boot hits the front of your shin really, really hard. There’s not a ton of material between your shin and the plastic. If you get a little extra room in there and get the full force, you can bruise the bone or also the muscle. It definitely flares up. It’s tough to ski with that, especially in tech events, because you flex forward every turn and it definitely hurts a lot. In order to ski well, you have to be flexing forward, so it can go against your intuition, if you have shin-bang, to ski the way you want to.” courtesy of the usoc
What does this mean for Vonn and the Olympics? She could switch boots, perhaps one with more padding “Then she’s not in her element” says Picabo Street in a Miami Herald post. “Street’s advice is for Vonn to stay off her leg as much as possible. The biggest mistake, in Street’s learned opinion, would be for Vonn to get used to skiing hurt.”
It is still up in the air as to wether or not Vonn will compete in all three events. She may have to sacrifice one, but as of right now her schedule is unchanged.
Vonn Competing at FIS race – courtesy of Team USA
Should she compete in all three events or sit one out? Tell us what you think and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of the ski flick, ‘resurection’.