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
Ok Doug, I know what you're up to. I think you should go to Dolphin 2 for suit advice.
Rich
Ok Doug, I know what you're up to. I think you should go to Dolphin 2 for suit advice.
Caught me. I'm willing to stipulate that your 50 free records are unassailable without one of the new suits, and maybe clenbuterol as well. And I shudder to think what's going to happen when you put on a LZR.
Don't you wish we all had unlimited budgets and could have a closet full of these different suits?
Hmmm, seems that someone I know is already amassing such a collection... :shakeshead:
I think you should go to Dolphin 2 for suit advice.
Rich,
Before we go to Dolphin2 for expert advice (we'll get it anyway - hard to avoid), what suit are you using these days? Any comments on it?
Ian.
I'm thinking of going to the Long Beach meet in Dec. and if I do I'll buy a B70 (size 26 - I'm 6' 1" / 170lb). I like that it is supposed to be more durable than the LZR (and $150 less). Plus, Mark Foster (my hero) swam a pr in one at age 38.
Rich...just got a little more "inside scoop" on Foster's swim...it appears he actually wore TWO B70's which gave him a massive amount of flotation. Apparently this is something that is currently not covered by any FINA rules...pushing the envelope to say the least!
I did hear from some people at rials that some swimmers would wear the LZR for core compression under B70. It's starting to get ridiculous. I may be wavering.
richs' 50 times are very fast and remarkable
especially when you compare them to times he did in the 1960's
As male swimmers who've been 19 mid or better in the 50 turn
40, 45 and 50 if they've kept in decent shape
they should have no problem going 20 point in the 50 free or faster
Josh Davis, Gary Hall or Neil Walker could be the first over 40 male to go under 20 in the 50 scy free
I think the latest generation tech suits will be of greater help to older swimmers because they have looser skin
Many world records will fall as masters race in the new tech suits
Caught me. I'm willing to stipulate that your 50 free records are unassailable without one of the new suits, and maybe clenbuterol as well. And I shudder to think what's going to happen when you put on a LZR.
richs' 50 times are very fast and remarkable
especially when you compare them to times he did in the 1960's
As male swimmers who've been 19 mid or better in the 50 turn
40, 45 and 50 if they've kept in decent shape
they should have no problem going 20 point in the 50 free or faster
Josh Davis, Gary Hall or Neil Walker could be the first over 40 male to go under 20 in the 50 scy free
I think the latest generation tech suits will be of greater help to older swimmers because they have looser skin
Many world records will fall as masters race in the new tech suits
All quite true. But unfortunately we wont have a true comparison for Rich, as the suits are here to stay. But here's a theoretical one: the Smiths' 45-49 records, achieved near the bottom of the age group, are 21.1 and 24.29. Add 3% for the suit effect and you get 21.73 and 25.02. Rich's 50-54 records are 21.73 and 24.60...achieved when he was 53! The latter time is especially remarkable.
To address some of the questions about the suits....and other "things" my evil (non) brother has organized a challenge if you will...originally aimed at Clay Britt it has now expanded (Sam Perry and others) and is going to be quite the spectacle:
50 back (SCY) "old school"
Rules
1) $100 entry fee placed in an envelope on the blocks, winner takes all
2) Uniform; vintage 1970's stars & stripes Speedo Briefs, no goggles
3) SDK's are illegal and swimmer will be DQ'd and flogged for attempting
4) John Naber "bucket turns"
5) Toes above gutter starts
Evil One....
Clay is trying to take my albuterol and Starbucks away claiming they were not available in the '70s.
If Rick DeMont can get DQ'd for albuterol, so can I !
I will have to resort to standard coffee.
John Smith