My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 16:05:36 GMT

Did you see the style of Amanda Beard in the NEW WORLD record 200 ***!!!!:D She is doing exactly what I have said in my articles on breaststroke, the wave style is not about throwing yourself over the waters surface, it is all about being able to kick with your head under water. Amanda spent a LONG time underwater each stroke, while all the other swimmers were spending very short times with their heads underwater. She took a LOT less number of strokes compared to much bigger girls like Stacianna Stitts. For those of you who are not members of the American Coaches Association, you can read my article on "What went wrong with the Wave style breaststroke? on my website at http://www.breaststroke.info/ Many of the ideas I presented are being displayed at Olympic trials, although many are still swimming "older" styles of breaststroke. If you want to swim breaststroke better and much easier, read and enjoy.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

knelson — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 04:05:14 GMT

I'm sure there were many people who were impressed with Tara Kirk and Staciana Stitts "going for it" on the first 100 of the 200 *** yeseterday, but really they both swam horrible races. Swimming ten seconds slower on the second hundred = not good. Obviously they both had the thought that they needed to get out ahead and try to hang on. I guess it's tough to accept that the race was really for second place because Amanda had first place sewn up.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 15:11:12 GMT

Kaitlin Sandeno has been increadible. The croud continues to buzz every time she swims. She is rapidly becoming the croud favorite. At the Olympics don't count her out on anything.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 13:01:23 GMT

Originally posted by DocWhoRocks I really hope Scott Usher makes it in the 100 *** - GO WYOMING!!!! :D Well Scott didn't make the 100 br. - got 3rd :( But he had an incredible 200 br. and made the team!!! WAY TO GO SCOTT! Dropped over 3 seconds from his original seed time. I'm really happy for him.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

knelson — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 12:40:50 GMT

Tomorrow is going to be great. We'll get to see Michael Phelps swim finals in two events (200 back and 200 IM) within minutes of each other. I think it's safe to say no one else on earth could pull that off. How about Kaitlin Sandeno? No one really said much about her beforehand, but here she is already having qualified in four events. She could qualify in the 800 free, too, but she hinted on TV tonight that she could scratch that. I think she should go for it! And Dana and Tara Kirk the first time sisters have qualified for the same Olympic team.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 08:10:50 GMT

Originally posted by knelson Favorite picture so far from the swimcam gallery: www.usaswimming.org/.../1239m373627ac-4236-408a-8517-0df5463fffff.jpg OK, for some reason this shows up as a link not a photo. Maybe the administrator has turned off the ability to link to photos directly. What is most impressive to me is how little he's disturbing the water as he swims.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 07:12:28 GMT

Having met Mark Spitz many times at our UCLA swim meets, I was surprised at how well he handled the presentation of the medal for the 200 meter fly, and how gracious he was towards Phelps. Spitx came up several notches in everyones eyes by his genuine display of "handing the mantle of greatness" over to Phelps. Mark never backed out of his quest, and he had some great competition. Few remember he set a world record in EVERY event he swam. Phelps is going after the best in the world, he is a true winner even if he looses the 100 fly tomorrow.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 05:36:02 GMT

Here's a picture that, up until now, many of us thought we'd never see. D Carson brought this to my attention. Yes, that's Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

swimshark — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 03:43:35 GMT

Originally posted by knelson Favorite picture so far from the swimcam gallery: www.usaswimming.org/.../1239m373627ac-4236-408a-8517-0df5463fffff.jpg Wow, that is an awesome picture!!!

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

knelson — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 02:04:39 GMT

Favorite picture so far from the swimcam gallery: www.usaswimming.org/.../1239m373627ac-4236-408a-8517-0df5463fffff.jpg OK, for some reason this shows up as a link not a photo. Maybe the administrator has turned off the ability to link to photos directly.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sun, 11 Jul 2004 16:35:29 GMT

OK guys, Summer was a babe, just last time I saw her swim she was so tan it was a turn off. I have been talking to the men arround the pool deck, and the concensious is Amanda is babe-a-liciuos, I believe is the word most used. Other words such a booty were mentioned. Actually there were finally three grab starts today, all in the mens 200 *** prelims, heat 2 lane 7, heat 3 lane 8 and heat 4 lane 8. Only one looked very good off the start, Patrick Fowler. The other two did not gain anything over the track starters. Staciana Stitts has Alopecia, check out www.naaf.org/.../story.asp She is all lady, she was sitting with her boyfriend during prelims before the 100 *** finals. I think sitting on those hard seats hurt her performance in the finals. Allen, don't get too fast. You are fast enough and you are in my age group.:D :D Actually what some people saw in the breaststrokes is some swimmers are using the lats by pulling like a butterfly pull rather than the traditional scull out and scull in. What these swimmers gain most is the ability to kick with their head underwater more. Almost a pull - kick and glide:p I am sitting with Brendan Hansens dad and extended family. Todays swims were easy!!! Take that to the bank, a new world record tomorrow in the mens 200 ***. I predict him out in 1:02.1 and back in 1:06.8. Anything faster than 1:02 will lower the record more!

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sun, 11 Jul 2004 15:27:59 GMT

Had lots of FUN today. Became an official member of the Brendan Hansen family. They gave me a Nike hat, Brendan wears Nike suits!!! We expected 33.5 and 33.5 for laps 3 and 4, he went out fast at 1:01.88 and did 33.50 and 33.66 for the last two laps. We hear the pool has a real wave the swimmers have to fight, as it is the same depth the whole way. Some might consider it a slow pool, compared to say Indy. Phelps is swimming so many events, and is not ducking anyone. He will have to swim against the Thorpedo and the best of the world in the 200 free, and against Piersol in the 200 back. And he still has to beat Tom Malchow in the 200 fly. The Ian Crocker in the 100 fly!! Saw Jim Miller, USMS President, and Jeff Farrell, the 1956 Olympic swimmer who swims in SPMA:D :D Bill Mullikan (Gold 200 *** 1956) presented Brendan Hansen with his gold medal, Bill also swims masters.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

knelson — Sun, 11 Jul 2004 12:49:18 GMT

Originally posted by breastroker I have been talking to the men arround the pool deck, and the concensious is Amanda is babe-a-liciuos, I believe is the word most used. Yeah, I know a lot of people think Amanda's a "babe," but gotta say she doesn't do anything for me.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 15:38:48 GMT

Wow, I guess she's at an advantage if she doesn't have any hair! I still think she looks very attractive.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 14:47:04 GMT

Originally posted by Sonic Swimmer78 How about that one female swimmer (Don't remember her name) who shaved her head? I find that to be both brave and a turn on! Rrrrrraaawwrr! :p I'm guessing you mean Staciana Stitts and she didn't shave her head. She just doesn't have any hair.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 14:24:41 GMT

How about that one female swimmer (Don't remember her name) who shaved her head? I find that to be both brave and a turn on! Rrrrrraaawwrr! :p

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 14:22:24 GMT

Sorry, Wayne--I'm with Peter on this one. Summer Sanders, definitely.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 14:21:37 GMT

Howard, What's with the whole quote? The Israel study showed that 63% of the men and 60% of the women used the grab start in the 2000 Olympic finals. Much of the 40% of track starts by women were USA swimmers. Yet so far in the USA trials 100% are using the track start. Something is wrong when only one style is used in our trials. Our coaches just don't bother to try the grab start. The most telling results are the in the shorter events such as the 50 free and the 100 ***, where in the finals the grab start has a advantage over the track start. The rest of the worlds best swimmers use the grab start for one reason, it is faster to 15 meters. In the womens 100 ***, Stacianna had the best swim and by far the best stroke in prelims. She did a 1:07.20. I swa her in the stands during yesterdays prelims. Not what most coaches would recommend, hard seats for hours. Her stroke just was not as long and efficient in finals. I was hoping she could get in, with her stroke she was one of our best hopes for doing a 1:05 in the Olympics. Amanda is our best racer, but I just don't think she has the speed for a 1:05.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Allen Stark — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:41:38 GMT

Wayne I couldn't agree more about the track start!!!!! It may be faster for someone with weak legs & strong upper body, but I doubt it. I keep asking coaches why they keep teaching the track start. They either say its easier or its safer. Swimming breaststroke with your head out of the water is easier & safer too. Dare to be great! (You are also really right about head position in ***. Last year I started really focusing on keeping my head down & after 4 mo. of misery I swam my best times in 9 years. Now I am focusing on REALLY shrugging my shoulders on the recovery & am swimming with one less stroke per 25. I had thought I was shrugging my shoulders but there is a huge difference between "kind of" & REALLY.)

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 11:32:30 GMT

Originally posted by breastroker Howard, The US coaches are a bunch of Lemmings, and for the most part do not study sports science to determine the best aproaches to swimming. Just today I wrote a 5 page article for publication of what has gone wrong with US coaching and the track start. Bottom line our coaches tend to copy success without looking at the whole picture. Gary Hall Jr and Anthony Ervins win ( 50 free) in the 2000 Olympics may be the worst thing that has happened to US swimming. All the other coaches copied their track start, not looking at the scientific data that has them loosing 2 tenths of a second at 15 meters to the rest of the worlds sprinters. I have had a lot of feedback from my article published in American Swimming Magazine (2004 issue 1) where I chastised US coaches for copying the loosers of the wave style breaststroke. It tood 12 years for US coaches to finally copy the style of Mike Barrowman instaed of the loosers high wave style. knelson: I agree with you. The authors should never use averages, because you cannot compare a swimmer from Nigeria to a great starter like Ed Moses. Speaking of Ed, he had a huge advantage over the other breaststrokers 4 years ago with his great grab start, now that he has a track start, he is just ordinary. The amazing thing about all the swimmers using the track start is no one has an advantage. I have seen heat after heat, everyone is equal with track starts. Yes the greater than six footers come out ahead of the shorter swimmers, but no large differences. I watched Steve Lundquist in 1984 have a great grab start, he came up a half a body to 3/4 a body length ahead of everyone else. why would swimmers want to be just ordinary? There have been many times in my swimming where I get a great start and come up as much as a body length ahead of the other breaststrokers. Now why would I ever want to become ordinary by using the track start? If all you want to do is get into the water, go ahead and practice the track start. If you want an advantage and want to win real bad, get a coach who knows grab starts and practice in deep water. I can easily go 6 foot deep off a great grab start. That is perfect for breaststroke, but not so good for freestyle. Also not so good for pools 4 foot deep. The track start help keep you stable so you do not get disqualified, but most swimmers get very poor distance out of it. Only a great grab start offers the swimmers a chance at perfection and a lead off the start. Wayne Why the US lemming community isn't beating down your door to pick your brain is a mystery to me. You crack me up. Anyone notice that the women with the fastest 100 *** time of the meet didn't make the team?

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:04:18 GMT

Since Wayne's observations set off a brisk debate about starts, let's pick out something else he observed, namely that Torres was the best looking swimmer ever- granted she's great looking, but just among the Americans I'd nominate Summer Sanders for sure (never mind some of the Swedish gals). Wayne- when you sat at the same table with Torres did you happen to ask her how she felt about the grab start? hee hee

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 07:19:19 GMT

USA Swimming web site is posting photos from the trials at: www.usaswimming.org/.../DesktopDefault.aspx Lots of really cool pictures....

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 06:21:27 GMT

Well, 2 male swimmers used the grab start at the trials this morning in the 200 ***. An interesting thing is when I competed in the World Masters Games in Melbourne, Australia in Oct. 2002, it was mostly U.S. swimmers doing the track start. The majority of other master swimmers from other countries did the grab start (especially the Australians). I never really paid much attention to it before, but now it will be interesting to watch in the Olympics...

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 05:45:46 GMT

I agree that the grab start is much more effective, and just easier to do. I have only tried the track start a handful of times, and it hasnot worked out. From what I understand for the track start generally the majority of your weight is on the front leg, so you might not get the best jump off the block. Then you have to try and stick your legs back together in midair to be as streamlined as possible when you enter the water. which might not happen and could cost you distance and seconds. As for the grab start all you gotta do is spring off the blocks and keep tight. I was watching the 100m *** final yesterday, I noticed some swimmers taking a shorter stroke and more breaths than others. A few had an accoridion style stroke(arms and legs almost simultaneous) and some others had a "breathe-pull-kick" stroke. Is it just a matter of preference? To me, it seems like the shorter the stroke, the harder you work, but the easier you tire out, which cost a few good swimmers yesterday.

RE: My Great first Day at Olympic trials !!!!

Former Member — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 05:20:51 GMT

I guess Staciana Stitts is exactly why we use the Olympic format in the trials. She didn't stand up and do it when it really counted. Too bad though. She had a great swim.