You could hang, I'm sure. Your 5:12 500 free converts to under 4:40 and that would seed you third in the 400 free.
I also noticed Karlyn Pipes-Nielsen is swimming for France. WTF?
Thanks Kirk. I'm just noticing how much faster the top gals in my age group are than the rest of us mere mortals. The fly competition is pretty stiff too.
How would KPN get to swim for France? Do you need to be a citizen or what?
She does swim all over the world and at all levels of competition probably more than any other person in masters swimming, so it would be difficult to begrudge her her choice to swim for a team outside the U.S. I just though it was a little strange at first glance.
Very true, but her team jumping does cause controversy. When she swam for Illinois Masters, she basically rewrote much of the Illinois State record book. This set off a firestorm of controversy among Illinois residents, some of whom though that Illinois records should be held by Illinois residents. (I understand KPN gave up those state records.)
She came to our zones meet a couple years ago and set a zillion records. No one minded because zones are fair game; anyone can swim. She seemed very affable.
I'm still curious about how her French club affiliation effects her possible USMS rankings and records.
I'm guessing KPN is more interested in FINA recognized WR's vs. USMS records, I may be wrong but thought that Brent Barnes swims for Japan but doesn't reside there.
As for swimming for a club team in another country I have no idea why but am guessing some swimmers from over there approached her. if no US club that she typically swims for (like San Diego, remember she lives on Kona and I'm doubtful any others from there are going) was fielding enough swimmers why not?
I go back to something I brought up before Worlds at Stanford, FINA should change the rules and allow us to represent our countries vs. swim at the club level for an event like Worlds.
I go back to something I brought up before Worlds at Stanford, FINA should change the rules and allow us to represent our countries vs. swim at the club level for an event like Worlds.
I agree!! Highly preferable. I actually had to join a club to even compete at Worlds and I was the only one from that club there. Couldn't swim unattached. Ridiculous.
I'm sure KPN is more interested in FINA WRs. But she'll undoubtedly collect a lot of French National Records as well.
I'm still curious about how her French club affiliation effects her possible USMS rankings and records.
You've raised some good questions. I think I found the answer in the USMS Rule Book:
202.2 RECOGNIZED EVENTS
Times achieved at recognized events shall be considered for USMS national records and Top 10 times if a designated USMS observer is present and verifies in writing that the conduct of the competition conforms to the relevant USMS swimming rules and administrative regulations. USMS membership is not required for swimmers entered in recognized events. Times achieved by USMS members at events sanctioned by USA Swimming shall be considered for USMS National records and Top 10 times without formal application for recognition. Times achieved by USMS members at events sanctioned by a FINA member federation shall be considered for USMS National records and Top 10 times without formal application for recognition if the USMS member(s) register for the meet as USMS members. It is the responsibility of the swimmer to submit times obtained in recognized events with complete documentation to the appropriate LSMC Top 10 recorder and the Records and Tabulation Committee chair.
Since she has not registered for the meet as a USMS member, her times should not be eligible for USMS national or Top 10 rankings.
Anna Lea
KPN, as far as I know, has never hid anything. I've known her for many years now and she's always been forthcoming when I've asked her things like, "Why are you swimming for Illinois?"
Her husband's parents live near Walnut Creek and when they're visiting they come swim with us. I believe they're still living in Hawaii?
Next time I see her, I'll ask her what's up with the French Connection? I'll let you know.
Is she going to USMS Nationals? I'll ask her there if she's going.
She does swim all over the world and at all levels of competition probably more than any other person in masters swimming, so it would be difficult to begrudge her her choice to swim for a team outside the U.S. I just though it was a little strange at first glance.
I go back to something I brought up before Worlds at Stanford, FINA should change the rules and allow us to represent our countries vs. swim at the club level for an event like Worlds.
I've brought this up with the Swedish Swimming association after I found out Sweden was going to host the 2010 worlds.
Sweden has a fairly small Masters program. At our Nationals we had roughly 1370 starts for 30 events (including 6 relays). The event with the most starts was mens 50m free at 175, least starts womens 800m, only 8. An average of 45 starts per event.
Right now, my team is only has 4 competing masters swimmers and one of them refuses to swim anything but breastroke at meets, so no free relay for the rest of us.
I've brought this up with the Swedish Swimming association after I found out Sweden was going to host the 2010 worlds.
Sweden has a fairly small Masters program. At our Nationals we had roughly 1370 starts for 30 events (including 6 relays). The event with the most starts was mens 50m free at 175, least starts womens 800m, only 8. An average of 45 starts per event.
Right now, my team is only has 4 competing masters swimmers and one of them refuses to swim anything but breastroke at meets, so no free relay for the rest of us.
If you really want a free relay, you could just let your breaststroker swim breaststroke (remember, there's no restriction on what freestyle can be during a freestyle event; see FINA SW 5.1). The relay time will take a hit on that basis, but I'd say that's better than no relay.
On the other hand, doing that once with your teammate might convince them to at least try some crawl action during freestyle.
In other news, Friday's first two heat sheets were posted (Women's 800 Free, 35 heats in the 10 lane pool; Men's 800 Free, 42 heats in the 8 lane pool). It's interesting they decided to seed by age group and not just by time (that's how they did it in Stanford, but then again, they had 46 heats of men and 46 heats of women in 10 lane pools!).
Patrick King
If you really want a free relay, you could just let your breaststroker swim breaststroke (remember, there's no restriction on what freestyle can be during a freestyle event; see FINA SW 5.1). The relay time will take a hit on that basis, but I'd say that's better than no relay.
we know, he's actually offered to do that. and go anchor so we are not trying to play catch up the entire time....
