This is very interesting:
swimswam.com/.../
What are people who bought one of these for USMS Nationals going to do? I'm sure Arena is going to offer to replace the suits, but with Nationals days away it's going to be tough to get a new one before the meet starts.
Arena, therefore, advised FINA of its decision to withdraw the approval codes of concerned POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro models:
AR220993 – woman full body open back
AR220994 – woman full body closed back
AR141364 – man jammer
Consequently, as of May 7 onwards, all POWERSKIN Carbon-Pro suits to be used in FINA sanctioned events will have the following approval codes:
AR221039 – woman full body open back
AR221028 – woman full body closed back
AR141028 – man jammer
I've got to assume Arena will offer to replace these suits, even if they've been used.
I wouldn't make that assumption. All mention of replacement was conveniently left out of that statement.
I hope Arena is being honest about this and it was, in fact, a change in manufacturing that led to the suits being out of compliance. Does anyone know exactly how FINA acquires the suits for testing? If the suit makers send them to FINA it opens up the possibility of sending samples they know will pass, but don't reflect the actual suit that is available to the public. The story makes it sound like FINA discovered the problem when testing an off-the-shelf suit, but obviously the suits did pass testing when they were first introduced and that makes me suspicious.
Apparently they will be replacing them at Nationals:
swimswam.com/.../ (updated)
"athletes competing in both Charlotte and at Master’s Nationals this weekend will have their suit needs met by an Arena rep on site."
That's good news! I hope they bring a lot of replacements. I just bought my kid a brand new Arena, now banned. I have 4 Arena suits myself and one of mine (worn one day) is banned. They are going to take a bath with this "production error." If they hadn't replaced them, I would have been beyond angry. I hope Arena is there Thursday all day.
I hope somebody will be there...I just ordered a Carbon Pro and will pick it up at the vendor at Nationals.
Yeah, we don't need lime green suits to arrive in June ...
Can USMS post vendor contact info? And they better not expect receipts -- long gone.
I hope Arena is being honest about this and it was, in fact, a change in manufacturing that led to the suits being out of compliance. Does anyone know exactly how FINA acquires the suits for testing? If the suit makers send them to FINA it opens up the possibility of sending samples they know will pass, but don't reflect the actual suit that is available to the public. The story makes it sound like FINA discovered the problem when testing an off-the-shelf suit, but obviously the suits did pass testing when they were first introduced and that makes me suspicious.
Before suits are available at retail, I can't imagine FINA getting them any other way than directly from the manufacturers. There's also a chicken-and-egg situation. Manufacturers are unlikely to ramp up production of these expensive suits until FINA has approved them.
If the suits are not legal they should not be allowed at Nationals, period. I don't care when they were bought. An illegal item that gives you a competitive advantage should not be grandfathered in. If I buy a fancy new golf club and play with in a tourney and it is deemed illegal my score does not count. The same should be true of any competition with a governing body. As a coach I would certainly argue this case for my swimmers if they lose a spot to someone in an illegal suit.
Arena makes good looking suits and they have come aggressively back into the US market. I think they are the title sponsor for the Grand Prix series. But, your product has to be legal.
Black tape or permanent marker over the Arena logo should do the trick.
Those suits are pretty obvious. I think it's going to take a little more than covering up the logo!
Of course who is going to check if you've got the illegal suit or the (legal) replacement suit? I doubt it's obvious. They will both carry the FINA approved QR stamp. Seriously, this could be quite a problem. It's almost got to be the honor system. Major meets will probably need to check everyone's suit.
edit: yes, it is obvious. As mentioned in my first post the model number appears on the FINA approved stamp. Looks like meets will need to add a few more volunteer spots for "official butt checker." :)
If the suits are not legal they should not be allowed at Nationals, period. I don't care when they were bought. An illegal item that gives you a competitive advantage should not be grandfathered in. If I buy a fancy new golf club and play with in a tourney and it is deemed illegal my score does not count. The same should be true of any competition with a governing body. As a coach I would certainly argue this case for my swimmers if they lose a spot to someone in an illegal suit.
Arena makes good looking suits and they have come aggressively back into the US market. I think they are the title sponsor for the Grand Prix series. But, your product has to be legal.
We all wore FINA illegal suits in Atlanta in 2010, though you make a good point. Arena better be handing out free replacement suits like candy if they want to preserve their market share and customer goodwill.
I will not wear an illegal suit. I am purchasing a new LZR Elite tomorrow as a back up; I have one on hold already. I am emailing the vendor in advance about the Arena suits that I need replaced.
Unless USMS sends out an update to all entrants, there will be people wearing illegal suits because they have no clue about the ban.
edit: yes, it is obvious. As mentioned in my first post the model number appears on the FINA approved stamp. Looks like meets will need to add a few more volunteer spots for "official butt checker." :)
SwimStud will coordinate all of the volunteers for the unofficial butt checkers...
