Take a look at the press release posted on swiminfo.com: www.swiminfo.com/.../6949.asp
Here's a quote that bothers me:
By strategically increasing the surface area, TYR has increased his/her ability to pull without increasing any resistance through the recovery. Just think of it as ascending an aquatic ladder.
Should these be allowed? I would guess that they are o.k. as far as current rules read, but I don't like it. I think these sleeves amount to an aid, sort of like wearing paddles. I guess the question is: what constitutes a swimsuit? Obviously caps are o.k., so you can't argue that it must be one piece.
We were discussing this in practice last night. I'm wondering if someone more familiar with the rules can tell us what is considered legal or illegal. (Or if it is somewhat vague, and up to the referees.)
You have to be careful of your definitions. For instance, if you demand that the suit be skin tight (so adding paddle-like extensions would not be valid), then you are also outlawing baggy shorts. (Although, that may not be a bad thing. :D )
During the summer, many triathletes wear a wristwatch, and a colored wrist (race) tag. Under Bob's definition, this would be considered a 3-piece suit with two of the pieces being wrist coverings.
We were discussing this in practice last night. I'm wondering if someone more familiar with the rules can tell us what is considered legal or illegal. (Or if it is somewhat vague, and up to the referees.)
You have to be careful of your definitions. For instance, if you demand that the suit be skin tight (so adding paddle-like extensions would not be valid), then you are also outlawing baggy shorts. (Although, that may not be a bad thing. :D )
During the summer, many triathletes wear a wristwatch, and a colored wrist (race) tag. Under Bob's definition, this would be considered a 3-piece suit with two of the pieces being wrist coverings.
