After seeing a woman break 24 seconds and I think we can stop the discussion of "IF" the LZR suit is faster and start thinking "how much faster".
The previous line of suits (Fastskin and so on) were pretty similiar to a shaved swimmer. Sure - they do feel like they make you float, but overall the times seemed to move along "in line" with what I would expect to see in terms of improvements in the sport. If the previous suits would have been that much faster than shaving, you would have never seen people just using the legskins. By the way - for us Masters swimmers there was always the added benefit of keeping in all the "extra layers of skin".
So how much faster are the LZR suits ?
If I had to guess based on the results so far, I would say 0.25 to 0.30 per 50 and double that for the 100. I can see the Bernard going 48 low in the 100 and I can see Sullivan getting close or just breaking the 50 record. It makes sense that Libby Lenton would swim a 24.2 or so in the 50.
I think one of the top regular teams out there should do a test - you need a good amount of world class swimmers training together to be able to do a test. Here is the test I would propose:
8-10 swimmers
2 days of testing
4x50 on 10 minutes all out
Day 1 - swim 2 with a Fastskin2 followed by 2 with the LZR
Day 2 - swim 2 with the LZR followed by 2 with the Fastskin2
Get the averages of all 10 swimmers - maybe drop the high and low and there you go.
Why do the test ? I would HAVE to know. Swimming is a big part of your life and you just set a massive PR using this new technology - my very first question would be " How much was me and how much was the suit?"?
Parents
Former Member
Speaking of triathlon gear.... The LA Times has discovered the latest. And come up with a great quote in the process:
'They are called "triathletes," some say, because they'll "tri" anything that might shave a second or two off their race times -- no matter how far-fetched or astronomically priced."
Click the links below for photos...
Water-Grabbing Wetsuit
www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery
Comes with a 'catch'
2XU V-1 Velocity wetsuit: Ultra-high-end, long-sleeve wetsuit with a pair of slotted, 7-inch-long panels on each sleeve that grab water.
Likes: Whether the feeling is psychological or real (I couldn't tell), these so-called "catch" panels do give you an advantage: Everyone else thinks they work. Buy the suit before it's banned. Fast, comfy suit includes 5-millimeter-thick neoprene panels (the maximum allowed) on the chest and thighs for flotation, 1.5 millimeters in the armpits for flexibility, and 3 millimeters on the calves.
Dislikes: None.
Price: $574.95. (760) 632-9300; www.2xu.com.
And this, for SwimStud:
One short does it all
www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery
Oomph! Kilauea Compression Short: World's most luxurious bike-run short, with performance-enhancing weave and built-in pockets.
Likes: Excellent fit and function. Constructed of 12 form-fitting panels that compress the thigh muscles, leading to better blood flow and reducing fatigue and injury. Very handy food storage; the pockets (one in the small of the back, one on each upper hip) each hold a gel flask or a couple of energy bars. A built-in belt includes Velcro strips on the front and rear to hold a race number. A compact crotch pad provides good cushioning for the bike, isn't too bulky for the run and doesn't soak up much water on the swim.
Dislikes: None.
Price: $140. (360) 574-5174; www.oomphsports.com.
And the newest swim training tool:
Counting the laps
www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery
Finis Lap Track Five-inch-tall waterproof clock that counts laps, lap times and calories burned.
Likes: Provides valuable data that make swim training more effective. Simple to use: It's like a giant button -- just press it with a couple of fingers. A red light flashes, another lap is recorded, and the clock freezes for five seconds, enough time to glance at the 1 3/8 -inch-tall clock numbers. It then resumes, including the elapsed time. Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included) and held in place on the tiles by suction cups, or sans tiles, a bracket.
Dislikes: Great product -- except for super swimmers who will find pressing it during flip turns nearly impossible. Also, a narrow band of tiles poolside will present a problem; I had to turn the clock sideways to make it fit.
Price: $74.99. (888) 333-4647; www.finisinc.com.
Speaking of triathlon gear.... The LA Times has discovered the latest. And come up with a great quote in the process:
'They are called "triathletes," some say, because they'll "tri" anything that might shave a second or two off their race times -- no matter how far-fetched or astronomically priced."
Click the links below for photos...
Water-Grabbing Wetsuit
www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery
Comes with a 'catch'
2XU V-1 Velocity wetsuit: Ultra-high-end, long-sleeve wetsuit with a pair of slotted, 7-inch-long panels on each sleeve that grab water.
Likes: Whether the feeling is psychological or real (I couldn't tell), these so-called "catch" panels do give you an advantage: Everyone else thinks they work. Buy the suit before it's banned. Fast, comfy suit includes 5-millimeter-thick neoprene panels (the maximum allowed) on the chest and thighs for flotation, 1.5 millimeters in the armpits for flexibility, and 3 millimeters on the calves.
Dislikes: None.
Price: $574.95. (760) 632-9300; www.2xu.com.
And this, for SwimStud:
One short does it all
www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery
Oomph! Kilauea Compression Short: World's most luxurious bike-run short, with performance-enhancing weave and built-in pockets.
Likes: Excellent fit and function. Constructed of 12 form-fitting panels that compress the thigh muscles, leading to better blood flow and reducing fatigue and injury. Very handy food storage; the pockets (one in the small of the back, one on each upper hip) each hold a gel flask or a couple of energy bars. A built-in belt includes Velcro strips on the front and rear to hold a race number. A compact crotch pad provides good cushioning for the bike, isn't too bulky for the run and doesn't soak up much water on the swim.
Dislikes: None.
Price: $140. (360) 574-5174; www.oomphsports.com.
And the newest swim training tool:
Counting the laps
www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery
Finis Lap Track Five-inch-tall waterproof clock that counts laps, lap times and calories burned.
Likes: Provides valuable data that make swim training more effective. Simple to use: It's like a giant button -- just press it with a couple of fingers. A red light flashes, another lap is recorded, and the clock freezes for five seconds, enough time to glance at the 1 3/8 -inch-tall clock numbers. It then resumes, including the elapsed time. Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included) and held in place on the tiles by suction cups, or sans tiles, a bracket.
Dislikes: Great product -- except for super swimmers who will find pressing it during flip turns nearly impossible. Also, a narrow band of tiles poolside will present a problem; I had to turn the clock sideways to make it fit.
Price: $74.99. (888) 333-4647; www.finisinc.com.
