Many of the forum regulars seem to be going to Stanford, alas, others of us will not be there. Some of you that are going will access the internet while there, however briefly- why not share?
I have created this thread so you can report on the sights, sounds, swims, sunburns, socials etc. It matters not whether you be 'elite', 'newbie' or whatever, your impressions would be interesting to read. You could comment on great swims, technique, facilities, judging, the announcer, outrageous behavior of other forum participants, complaints, kudos- whatever. If you do, I at least would be grateful and if the thread garners much in the way of postings it could be a valuable archive for people to check for future Worlds. I lay down the guantlet...
I am interested in seeing the stretched (actually ground) Baker pool with the walls surface refinished. Now that the hammers, chisels, and grinders are put away its amazing that this could be done this fast.
Also, I wonder who will swim in the new Belardi pool first when the meet opens with the 800 Meter Free? Men or Women. Will a rotation start on the first day with alternating Men and Women to use the Baker and Belardi pools? Are the relays going to be in both pools? I would think probably but then you get in a situation where someone would be in two relays and have to be in two pools at the same time. So my guess is relays in only one pool which would be the Belardi.
It looks like you'll be swimming the 50 fly quite a bit earlier than 7:00 on Sunday, Paul. The meet timeline has the men's heats finishing at 5:07 and with your advanced age you should be done well before then ;)
Paul-sahib,
Let's play Sunday by ear.
BTW, I noticed the nameless one and I are within 3 spots and 2 seconds of each other in the 800. Don't get me wrong; I hope he swims phenominally and blows the doors off of his PR (and I'll be one of the first to shake his hand and offer congratulations), but it would be fun to be in the same heat with him, and you know...take his measure directly if it's a close race.
Matt
I came into town early for meetings with our company but managed to sneak away this afternoon and hit the pool, some inital observations:
- The overall set up lool awesome, very well organized, good signage to get you where you need to be (credentials), etc.
- Be ready to "hurry up and wait".....my impression is that in spite of lots of great people helping out and being well organized the sheer mass of humans....many first timers to the US.....means your gonna wait for stuff. Case in point there was only one person today selling the parking passes.
- Pools; around 80', clear, clean and fast. Even the older Baker pool which is deep only for 25m (4.5' the other half) should produce some great times....besides, if you can't get fired up at this meet with huge crowds in the stands and all that goes with a championship then take up knitting!
- Be forewarned.....not judgement here.....but our foreign friends still fnd that man bikinis are the prefered form of "warm ups"....I'm sure that was speedo guy doing sculling drills in lane 7 this afternoon....and by the way he's from Argentina! :)
- All in all it should be a fun/fast meet......good luck all!
Thanks for the update Paul. I'm getting in tomorrow afternoon. Plan to check into my hotel then head to the pool to "hurry up and wait" a little. I'm excited!
Crowds pciking up today.....and a real buzz around the deck as the meet gets ready to kick off! A few observations:
- The dropped the touchpads in today and there's quite a major difference in the "T" postions of the two pools, be ready for a change when you rotate pools each day!
- Found out that Mag Smath still thinks southern rock rules....Lynard to be precise......can't disagree!
- Some scary nails sticking up out of the touchpads....seems these we're used to secure the pads to the wood blocks they built to support them..looked for an offical all during warm up to tell them but now one in site.....watch your feet!
- One well know coach on deek who hit the bar early today.....can you say breathalizer?!
- The lack of signs in French, Italian, Russian, etc. leading to some very confused folks re; pool etiquite! Fins for warm up, dives from blocks in non designated lanes, swimming reverse circle.....bring a helmet and body armor!
- Mr. Gill teams up to launch a TYR sponosored meet series, sounds very cool and I can't believe he kept it secret for so long!
- Karlyn....nice shorts!
Originally posted by dorothyrde
Kokkole, apparently you have not seen the Speedo guy referred too. Good bods in Speedos are fine.......
thank goodness! :)
