Lindsey Vonn: How Sports Illustrated Cover Girl Uses Science to Get Gold

After a shin injury cast doubt on her Olympic ambitions, Lindsey Vonn turned to an unusual rehabilitation technique: Austrian cheese.

Vonn rubbed it on her leg and wrapped it in cling film; a home remedy that is said to help reduce swelling and promote the healing process.

There is little evidence to support this theory, but the type of cheese she used is high in acid, which can have anti-inflammatory properties.

The skier also tried laser therapy and massages, used painkillers and a Novocaine-type cream, and had several weather-related days off for rest.

It is more likely that these factors contributed to her swift recovery, but fingers crossed for magic cheese.

The American skier laid all doubts over her injury to rest when she earned a gold medal in her first race at the 2010 Winter Games.

Vonn won the downhill in 1:44.19, picked up a bronze in the super-G. She will have the chance at more medals in the slalom and giant slalom later this week.

So how does the Sports Illustrated cover girl manage to gain half a second on everyone else?

- She has the size and strength to handle the same G force as a fighter pilot
- Her skis use a formula 1 style Kinetic Energy Recover system (KERS)
- Her fearless approach allows her to stick to the fastest racing line

John Brenkus explains her technique on the Sport Science show.

This article was written by Katie Hobbs for Half Volley, the half sport, half science website.