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?"?
Former Member
My argument would be that these suit don't "help speed," instead they hinder your speed less than other suits.
Probably the wording should be that the suits must not aid in propulsion.
If you swim faster with the LZR, is it not aiding your speed? I agree with your rewording suggestion btw.
I think modesty is a rather personal issue. I know a few men wearing jammers who are just not fond of showing so much leg. That is modesty, but it does not adhere to your strict guideline regarding the display of a phallus.
Hey Scyfreestyler
I don’t see why men have such a hang up about showing “too much leg” and then attempt to be "modest" by wearing jammers or a tech suit, which just attract attention to an even more personal part of your bod.
Believe me, I've personally seen 100's of guys in both old Speedos, jammers, and tech suits and the first thing I immediately notice about the latter two styles is that lump in the groin.
If modesty is an issue in the selection of men's swim wear, jammers and tech suits have got to be the most disgusting thing I've ever seen!!! :lmao:
California Dolphin
So...Rule 102.15.9 in the 2008 USMS Rule Book states "Swimmers are not permitted to wear any device or substance to help their speed, pace, or buoyancy during the race."
My recollection is that FINA does not consider the suit to be a device but rather a "costume". Tyr ran into trouble with their wrist band type thing because FINA considered it to be a device rather than a costume.
Forbes Carlile “an experienced Octogenarian Australian, pioneer coaching guru” :oldman:or curmudgeonly old Luddite?:cane::cane::cane:
You're right; what a nincompoop. The advance in swimsuit technology has been absolutely stunning, it is a credit to boundless human inventiveness, it has dozens of critical applications that will improve quality of the life throughout the globe, and it should be welcomed by all members of the swimming community.
After all, consider that we went from inexpensive nylon suits (from the 70s, swimming's dark dark age) that lasted a long time and could be put on in 2 seconds, to uber-expensive suits that last 1-2 meets and take 20 minutes to don. And as an extra bonus: even if they don't fall apart, by next year they will be out-dated anyway.
Let's extrapolate: the next great swimsuit will be SO ADVANCED that it will either fall apart while it is being put on, or else in mid-race. Cue the emoticon: :drown: The popularity of swimming as a spectator sport will skyrocket! NASA scientists are working around the clock even as we speak.
The watchwords for today are: "planned and perceived obsolescence." Your homework assignment is to watch "The Story of Stuff." :)
Swim News has a letter from Forbes Carlile about the new suit(s):
www.swimnews.com/.../displayStory.jhtml
Forbes Carlile “an experienced Octogenarian Australian, pioneer coaching guru” :oldman:or curmudgeonly old Luddite?:cane::cane::cane:
“An athlete could be looking at a bill of $10,000 a year in suits…” What??? Clearly the author does not have a grasp on the US dollar. Or he has more money than brains or maybe just a lot more money than me. Who buys 20 $500 suits a year?
I'll put my money on FINA determining the suit does NOT violate the rules. Then it will just end up as a publicity coup for Speedo: the suit is perfectly legal, it's just that fast.
Am I the only one who thinks there's something wrong with FINA evaluating their sponsors' products?
...I also have yet to hear any female say she prefers a tank.
that's only because i've not weighed in on this thread yet ;)
i have 2 FSII recordbreaker tanks, and i love them. they still take forever to get into, and i really don't like stuff on my legs when i'm racing, so legskins and kneeskins are out in my book.
that's only because i've not weighed in on this thread yet ;)
i have 2 FSII recordbreaker tanks, and i love them. they still take forever to get into, and i really don't like stuff on my legs when i'm racing, so legskins and kneeskins are out in my book.
That's cuz you're tall and skinny. But go ahead and sacrifice that precious .001. Just means I'll get you in the 50 back on Saturday. Hehehe.
