Controversy...Is it all about winning!

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 14:52:57 GMT

Hey, this seems very fair. The Italians have been very forgiving. You boys owe them the opportunity to defend themselves on their own turf. :D

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 14:44:34 GMT

Sorry for bringing up an old argument but I couldn't help it since we're talking about challenges here, serious stuff...:D Before I begin I will introduce myself since I am not a very active user of this forum. I am one of the swimmers on the Italian 160-200 relay team that swam against our TYR friends in Stanford. First of all I would like to express my opinion about "cherry picking" swimmers for relays. My team mates and I live in the same town, work out together and have known each other for 25 years because we were part of the same club team since we were kids. All these years later I feel blessed from a swimming point of view because I can train and compete with my long time buddies, but I also realize that not everyone has the same luck. We lost both relays to the Smith & Smith Co. So we’re bitter from losing to four guys that don’t even work out together and that have joined forces “just” to set world records, right? Not even close. The truth is I don’t care and neither do my team mates, all that matters is that we raced and in the end lost to four incredible swimmers and we feel privileged to have had the chance to compete against them and hopefully this can be the beginning of a long distance friendly rivalry, especially since Fabio is back in business and will without doubt be at his standard level in no time. So to make it official we accept the challenge in Italy in short course meters. Yesterday my buddies and I had our traditional "beginning of the season meeting" (lots of food and drinks... we talk swimming for all of about 2 minutes, just a tad over the time that Saeger takes to swim a 200 free...) and came across your posts and couldn't help but smile. These are the kind of things that keep us motivated to train and lead a healthy life. So now that the challenge is set where and when? Agreed that the rematch be in Italy allow me to make the suggestion. Traditionally here in Italy masters swimmers prepare an event in the winter short course and then another cycle with culminates in the National Championship in the summer long course. Since we don't have short course Nationals we make do with a meet that takes place the last weekend of January in Desenzano (on Lake Garda for those familiar with Italian geography), most Italian masters prepare and shave down for this meet. If you have some time off after the meet it is very close to some great skiing resorts and just 90 miles away from Venice. The schedule of events does not include relays but in the past the organization has been very positive about organizing record setting attempts at the end of the days races. That’s where we DDS set the 160-200 world record short course for the 200 medley relay. The atmosphere would be great because people would hang out just to see the Americans swim against the local boys… So, my friends, now the ball is yours, get your sh…tuff together and come and race across the Atlantic!

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Jeff Commings — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:27:05 GMT

Oooooooh. This sounds like fun.

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 09:29:28 GMT

Paul, Any women that buys your suit can rent it out as a termite cover for a small house. As for the Italians...... if my wife finds out about this Italy invitation, I will have ZERO dollars left in my wallet. She has been aching to go there for years. John Smith

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 07:41:08 GMT

Originally posted by Paul Smith Giuseppe......if I can get my teamates to join me at some point I'll gladly make the trip.....but you have to promise me the same crowds of Italian women at the bars wanting to buy my suit as rumor has it you and the Brazillians drew here! January may however be a tough time.....John may be having shoulder surgery, Rich has a new baby on the way, Rhodenbaugh is in the heat of the college season (coaching at U of A) and thats one of my busiest times of the year.....summer long course may be an option however.....lets see what we can come up with before Perth in 2 years! Kokkole can set you guys up with some babes but I don't think you need any help... Another option could be our Italian National long course, usually they take place the last week of June. Normally this wouldn't be an open meet but I think that under these special circumstances we could get you guys to compete in them. It's up to you guys, we're here anyway... ;)

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 07:36:11 GMT

Originally posted by swimgold92 Toooo bad, that I'm not OLD enough to be on those relays :D THANK GOD you're not old enough to make those relays!!! :D

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 07:11:39 GMT

I wish...:D

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 07:07:27 GMT

So now the Smith's are recruiting... Vlad Smith. Kind of catchy. ;)

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 06:50:11 GMT

Toooo bad, that I'm not OLD enough to be on those relays :D

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

knelson — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 06:49:04 GMT

Originally posted by carcaridon THANK GOD you're not old enough to make those relays!!! :D Sure he is. He just needs someone a little older to add on those years he's taking off. Perhaps Rich Abrahams is a good candidate! :D

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Paul Smith — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 02:26:48 GMT

Giuseppe......if I can get my teamates to join me at some point I'll gladly make the trip.....but you have to promise me the same crowds of Italian women at the bars wanting to buy my suit as rumor has it you and the Brazillians drew here! January may however be a tough time.....John may be having shoulder surgery, Rich has a new baby on the way, Rhodenbaugh is in the heat of the college season (coaching at U of A) and thats one of my busiest times of the year.....summer long course may be an option however.....lets see what we can come up with before Perth in 2 years!

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 06:55:13 GMT

Hey, there's no problem. John Smith

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 05:48:39 GMT

I'm thinking if we are going to Italy, the meet needs to be Short Course Meters........ not Long Course ! First of all, I can only concentrate for a maximum of 11 seconds. Secondly, the turn is an essential survival element for those over 40. John Smith

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Paul Smith — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 04:47:26 GMT

John.....we need to get on the Italian training regime. By the way....Tori told us about your 11 second concentration problem! :)

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 12:27:56 GMT

Congrats to all at the worlds. Especialy team TYR good job. I have arrived home from my long journey even managed a little swim in Gillette Wy, a nice little pool but very warm.

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 16:02:02 GMT

Giuseppe is the one who got his bachelor degree at UCLA... just in case he spoke English pretty good. We're real proud of our Fastastic Four!! Can't wait to see you in Italy for the rematch. :cool: Ciao!

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 15:03:25 GMT

To Paul and John, and the whole Team TYR, I've just been informed that it will be my job to console the DDS relay team (Fantastic Four) for "only" getting the silver, upon their arrival in Italy. THANKS FOR BEATING THEM!!! ;)

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:56:03 GMT

Originally posted by knelson Some amazing relay swims all around but just glancing through the results how bout that medley relay effort by Colorado masters 200+? Oh my word 1:50.83. Are you kidding me? 1 CMS 'A-USA' 1:53.30 1:50.83W 1) Wood, Steve M46 2) Groselle, Jack R M52 3) Hedrick, Trip M52 4) Abrahams, Richard T M61 28.75 1:00.27 (31.52) 1:25.95 (25.68) 1:50.83 (24.88) Hard to find fault with any of these splits, but Rich Abrahams anchoring in a 24.88, that's just unreal. Congrats guys! That's a leadoff world record for Steve Wood who is actually from Texas and where is Trip actually from? Very good relay but I'll bet Steve thought he was going to be on the relay with the Smith boys. Looks like it all worked out.

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:50:41 GMT

Originally posted by Paul Smith Kokkole, We had two very competitive and really funny relays today with the Italians......they we're awesome swimmers and incredible sportsman......I got a chance to talk briefly with both Metello (he anchored the free relay against me and Fabio (we went head to head on the fly legs of the medley)......both we're very nice and I wish we'd gotten to talk more! Speaking of the Italians.....rumor has it from a very reliable soruc that they we're at a different bar than our team last night but managed to outdrink us in a BIG way.....apparently they even sold off some of their clothing to some of the gals in attendence.....now that's how you fund team travel! When all the controversy is said and done, the competition is just plain a lot of fun. :D PS: Must the Italian Consulate make formal apologies to the gals at the bar for the Fantastic Four's (that's their nickname) behaviour? :confused:

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Paul Smith — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 11:43:35 GMT

Kokkole, It was actually Giuseppe that anchored the free relay that I spoke with.....Metello lead off against our "youngster" Matt. As for the "win" in both relays.....I'm putting an asterik next to it and asking for a rematch when Fabio is healthy......showing up to swim two months after surgery was studly but he was not at 100%.....set up the meet in Italy when he's healthy & John, Rich, Greg, Matt & I will come over...and maybe see if we can sell some of our stuff to the Italian ladies! PS: You need to tell the fantastic four to hold out for better $$#, the Baziallians we're getting $20 a suit!

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:24:06 GMT

Paul, Great splits on all TYR relays :D

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

knelson — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 11:46:15 GMT

Some amazing relay swims all around but just glancing through the results how bout that medley relay effort by Colorado masters 200+? Oh my word 1:50.83. Are you kidding me? 1 CMS 'A-USA' 1:53.30 1:50.83W 1) Wood, Steve M46 2) Groselle, Jack R M52 3) Hedrick, Trip M52 4) Abrahams, Richard T M61 28.75 1:00.27 (31.52) 1:25.95 (25.68) 1:50.83 (24.88) Hard to find fault with any of these splits, but Rich Abrahams anchoring in a 24.88, that's just unreal. Congrats guys!

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Paul Smith — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:16:24 GMT

Kokkole, We had two very competitive and really funny relays today with the Italians......they we're awesome swimmers and incredible sportsman......I got a chance to talk briefly with both Metello (he anchored the free relay against me and Fabio (we went head to head on the fly legs of the medley)......both we're very nice and I wish we'd gotten to talk more! Speaking of the Italians.....rumor has it from a very reliable soruc that they we're at a different bar than our team last night but managed to outdrink us in a BIG way.....apparently they even sold off some of their clothing to some of the gals in attendence.....now that's how you fund team travel!

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 16:02:12 GMT

I see that John and Rich have met Metello! Men 40-44 100 LC Meter Freestyle 1 Saeger, Rich E 42 TYR-USA 54.00 53.45W 25.40 53.45 (28.05) 2 Savino, Metello 43 DDS-ITA 54.50 54.17M 25.83 54.17 (28.34) 3 Smith, John C 44 TYR-USA 54.50 54.27M 25.98 54.27 (28.29) :cool:

RE: Controversy...Is it all about winning!

Former Member — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 06:43:20 GMT

Originally posted by TheGoodSmith Actually, I did not get to meet him. Hell, I was so delerious the last 20 meters I was almost converted to Catholocism...... uh.....I mean Italianism. Note.... 100 m free is a middle distance event when you are over 40. Helpful hint.... do not train SCM for a Long Course meet. John Smith I would have LOVED to see your race. It must've been a good one. Compliments to all of you! :)