Aussie Olympic Trials

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:54:52 GMT

more talk on the LZR; www.news.com.au/.../0,21985,23417218-14641,00.html It's certainly proving to be an interesting year isn't it! New suit technology, all kinds of drug use talk (see the interview when 2 on Bernards competitors brought it up), and some VERY fast swimming. I'm going to be real interested to see if the time drops continue at the actual Games, my guess is the competition to just qualify is going to possibly lead to fewer records in China. SCY...lets face it, a .6 second drop by Bernard to break a hallowed 100m free record is a bit different than a masters swimmer in the 45-49 age group trying to beat his old fart buddies in the same event...would I pay $500+ for a suit to do that now? No, but I certainly want to try one out one of these days to see whats going on. Fort...I have a few friends that have gotten them already. Also, TYR's new suit is supposed to be out in the next 3-4 weeks and I've heard some pretty impressive things about it...but i still haven't given up on Arena yet! Without question. But I stand by my comment that his training and strength played a bigger role than the suit he wore.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:11:29 GMT

Do you think the reason the world record breakers get thier swim wear free and a chunk of cash for wearing these suits. If I sold Geordie Flashwear racing suits and paid off like Speedo would not everyone be setting WR in a Geordie Flash suit.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

The Fortress — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:14:14 GMT

more talk on the LZR; www.news.com.au/.../0,21985,23417218-14641,00.html It's certainly proving to be an interesting year isn't it! New suit technology, all kinds of drug use talk (see the interview when 2 on Bernards competitors brought it up), and some VERY fast swimming. I'm going to be real interested to see if the time drops continue at the actual Games, my guess is the competition to just qualify is going to possibly lead to fewer records in China. SCY...lets face it, a .6 second drop by Bernard to break a hallowed 100m free record is a bit different than a masters swimmer in the 45-49 age group trying to beat his old fart buddies in the same event...would I pay $500+ for a suit to do that now? No, but I certainly want to try one out one of these days to see whats going on. Fort...I have a few friends that have gotten them already. Also, TYR's new suit is supposed to be out in the next 3-4 weeks and I've heard some pretty impressive things about it...but i still haven't given up on Arena yet! What do the new TRYs look like? More like the LZR or the Aquashift?

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Paul Smith — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:19:59 GMT

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

The Fortress — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:07:40 GMT

So many things I could say....but won't. Hahaha. Didn't quite put that right. We were both taking showers in the locker room at the same time. The Fish train at the pool I swim at. Poor thing, she had the flu and was miserable. I should have asked her if she tried the LZR yet. I know she loves the Pro. I did ask Tom Kouchevery of GMU if he liked the LZR. He had technical problems with the prototype suit at the Grand Prix. Nevertheless, he said he absolutely loved the LZR and swam best times in it. I don't think he's getting paid to say that either.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Muppet — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:41:41 GMT

We will see a fair amount of swimmers with the suit in Austin, wait and see. I can't recall if I said that vocally or here on the forums, but I believe I warned of this a couple days after the LZR came out. Yes, they're not available retail until July 31 I think, but I know of a few people (and apparently Paul does too) who have some connections - legit or not - to access those suits.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Paul Smith — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:30:28 GMT

And according to his rivals his "vitamins"... Were not the only ones interested in this, today from FINA: www.news.com.au/.../0,21985,23421077-14641,00.html

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:16:11 GMT

Is it a swim suit that breaks a record or is it the swimmer??? Let us not give the credit to just a swim suit.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:58:47 GMT

It's eight WRs set this year, two at Aussie trials (so far).

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:46:48 GMT

I thought they weren't available for public purchase until after Austin anyway. Didn't Kate Ziegler break a couple of Janet Evans' records while wearing the now pedestrian FS Pro? Maybe they were just American records ... Thought there was a WR in the 1500 ... (BTW, I took a shower with her the other day, and she is not remotely as buff as Dara.) What will you be wearing,Paul, without your beloved Arena suits? I wore my FS Pro, now all worn out, and a new FS II in my meet last weekend. I still like the Pro better, although I'm not sure of any incremental performance difference. The FS II just feels like a wet rag (after swimming) in comparison. I like the paper suit feeling. Just me. So many things I could say....but won't.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:43:01 GMT

Completely disagree...and think your looking at it from the wrong point of view. It's not about wether a masters swimmer can/will break a record wearing the suit, or if it will help someone 18 seconds slower overcome Laura...its how much improvement will Laura (or any individual) have in their own swims. We will see a fair amount of swimmers with the suit in Austin, wait and see. Even if this suit were going to take 2-3 seconds off of every 100 yards I swim (highly unlikely), that would not convince me to spend the $550.00. I suspect that a swimmer who is within striking distance of a WR, AR, or otherwise might see things differently. But the fact still remains, that's a lot of money to be spending on a swimsuit. As for seeing quite a few of these at Austin, I don't doubt that. Another question one might ask, is how many people have been using these suits thus far and not swimming WR's? Or for that matter, not even swimming best times?

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Paul Smith — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:28:11 GMT

I'd love to hear if any other suit manufacturer has seen 8 WR's set in such a short period of time all in one suit....something is going on here without a doubt.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

knelson — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:01:54 GMT

Obviously it's not just the suit, but the suit certainly seems to be a contributing factor. Being an Olympic year is another factor, but I think we're seeing an unprecedented amount of fast swimming this year. Because of this you have to think about what is different. To me the biggest difference is the introduction of the LZR suit. I have a feeling it's going to take a WR to win gold in Beijing in many if not most events.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:04:42 GMT

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

The Fortress — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:40:26 GMT

We will see a fair amount of swimmers with the suit in Austin, wait and see. I thought they weren't available for public purchase until after Austin anyway. Didn't Kate Ziegler break a couple of Janet Evans' records while wearing the now pedestrian FS Pro? Maybe they were just American records ... Thought there was a WR in the 1500 ... (BTW, I took a shower with her the other day, and she is not remotely as buff as Dara.) What will you be wearing,Paul, without your beloved Arena suits? I wore my FS Pro, now all worn out, and a new FS II in my meet last weekend. I still like the Pro better, although I'm not sure of any incremental performance difference. The FS II just feels like a wet rag (after swimming) in comparison. I like the paper suit feeling. Just me.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:12:54 GMT

EDIT: Surely a Masters WR has been broken sans LZR this year. If not thus far, in the very near future I am sure. I know that Eugene Lehman set a world record in the 95-99 50 fly in Feb., and he wasn't wearing an LZR, but there was no previous record in that age group so it may not be the ideal example for this discussion... ;)

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Paul Smith — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:25:14 GMT

Well, just for fun I looked up the FINA Masters Top Ten from last year (LC). I chose Laura Val as an example because I have seen her in action a few times over the past few years. To put it simply, her competitors are going to need more than an LZR to catch her. When you hold an 18 second advantage in the 200 Free over the next fastest competitor, while also holding the world record in said event...swimsuit technology is of little concern. Point being, I don't think LZR will have much impact on us lowly USMS competitors. Completely disagree...and think your looking at it from the wrong point of view. It's not about wether a masters swimmer can/will break a record wearing the suit, or if it will help someone 18 seconds slower overcome Laura...its how much improvement will Laura (or any individual) have in their own swims. We will see a fair amount of swimmers with the suit in Austin, wait and see.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

pwolf66 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:17:12 GMT

I see. Just not convinced that the suit is playing as big a role as one might think. EDIT: Surely a Masters WR has been broken sans LZR this year. If not thus far, in the very near future I am sure. One was set last weekend in Women's 50-54 200m Back. Swimmer was wearing a Speedo Fastskin not a LZR. Paul

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:51:53 GMT

I see. Just not convinced that the suit is playing as big a role as one might think. EDIT: Surely a Masters WR has been broken sans LZR this year. If not thus far, in the very near future I am sure.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:45:36 GMT

swimnews.com/.../displayStory.jhtml Nine world records have fallen so far this year, and Olympic trials season is only just dawning. All the new marks have one thing in common: the pioneer was wearing a Speedo LZR Racer. Is there now a club of swimmers who have a technical advantage over rivals because of the equipment they are wearing? There'll be much more on that theme in the weeks and months ahead. Here's how the sequence has unfolded so far: 16/02/08: 200m backstroke - Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) 2:06.39 17/02/08: 50m freestyle - Eamon Sullivan (AUS) 21.56 17/02/08: 100m backstroke - Natalie Coughlin (USA) 59.21 08/03/08: 50m backstroke - Hayley McGregory (USA) 28.00 18/03/08: 4x100m freestyle - (NED) 3:33.62 (Dekker, 53.77; Kromowidjojo, 53.61; Heemskerk, 53.62, and Veldhuis, 52.62) 21/03/08: 100m freestyle - Alain Bernard (FRA) 47.60 22/03/08: 400m medley - Stephanie Rice (AUS) 4:31.46 22/03/08: 50m backstroke - Emily Seebohm (AUS) 27.95 22/03/08: 100m freestyle - Alain Bernard (FRA) 47.50.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:44:58 GMT

To be more specific, I don't think you will see the dominance of the LZR in Masters WR's moving forward. Allen, you won't need a $500.00 suit to remain competitive.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:28:38 GMT

:help:I don't want to have to buy a $500 suit to be competitive.:whiteflag:Have there been any WRs this year not in LZRs? Yes.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Former Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:26:36 GMT

:help:I don't want to have to buy a $500 suit to be competitive.:whiteflag:Have there been any WRs this year not in LZRs? No.

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

Allen Stark — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:20:10 GMT

:help:I don't want to have to buy a $500 suit to be competitive.:whiteflag:Have there been any WRs this year not in LZRs?

RE: Aussie Olympic Trials

That Guy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:55:03 GMT

The time drops have been amazing. Stephanie Rice dropped 6 seconds in the 400 IM for her WR. Eamon Sullivan dropped half a second in the 50. Until now I had thought that certain Olympic races like the men's 200 fly were pretty much locked up. There's no way to know anymore - someone could suit up and drop 3 seconds in a 200 (for example) in Beijing and come out of nowhere to win the gold.