Why are Sullivan, Bernard, Cielo, and Trickett so fast?

Cielo swims faster than anyone* and I also think he has the fastest turns, and I'm not talking about SDK. Cielo only takes a couple strong dolphin kicks off the walls then he's up swimming. However, he's very fast into and out of his turns. He really seems to have the timing down and gets off the walls like a rocket. I don't think anyone else is able to maintain their momentum through the turns like Cielo does. * edit: I probably should have said "faster than anyone in the NCAA." It's yet to be seen if he's faster than the likes of Sullivan and Bernard.

I don't think anyone else is able to maintain their momentum through the turns like Cielo does. Which will prove interesting for LCM races, assuming he is gunning for the Olympics. 1 turn vs 3 will make a big difference.

i wanted this thread to focus on SPRINT FREESTYLE, 50's & 100's and recent world record and US open records coughlin OK, Phelps is a product of Talent + attitude + massive training he trained 7 days a weeks for years seriously doubt he's ever used PEDs

an interesting offshoot question is why are both Sullivan and Bernard so fast? they have very different physiques. Sullivan's body looks like what I consider a stereotypical swimmer's body - tall, lean, stretched out muscles. Bernard looks like a weight-lifter. so, would Sullivan be faster if he gained some muscle? would Bernard be faster if he lost a little muscle and maybe gained some flexibility? don't know??? oh, and Phelps held the #1 spot for almost EVERY SINGLE nag event as a 10 and under. he's been on the radar for a loooooong time. sorry, Ande, back to your sprinters.

when you watch www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../17631.asp looks like cielo is splashing more with his kick I wish the camera had zoomed in more on Cielo so we could pick up more of the details ande

Cielo seemed like he was taking fewer strokes than the other competitors. 9 on the first length, I think 12, 12 and 13. His last turn looked kinda sluggish, but at that point he was practically bodysurfing.

We should include Phelps, Vendt,Couglin, just to name a few more. I find it interesting that Sullivan,Trickett, etc are the subjects of rumors or that their swims are because of the suits, yet the same isn't said about Phelps, when he just destroys records.

Short course sprinting involves micro bursts of explosive powering through the distance...knowing that a wall approaches after every 10 or more seconds. To do well in long course, they may have to adapt, and it doesn't always happen. Long course is a swimmer's pool. And long course sprinters have a different cadence to their stroke. Short course is all about the turns.

We should include Phelps, Vendt,Couglin, just to name a few more. I find it interesting that Sullivan,Trickett, etc are the subjects of rumors or that their swims are because of the suits, yet the same isn't said about Phelps, when he just destroys records. Regarding Phelps, Gary Hall has stated that there are ppl that whisper about Phelps... But Phelps was an Olympian at age 15. He didn't come out of nowhere. His turns are out of this world. That just doesn't seem chemically-induced.

Cielo swims faster than anyone* and I also think he has the fastest turns, and I'm not talking about SDK. Cielo only takes a couple strong dolphin kicks off the walls then he's up swimming. However, he's very fast into and out of his turns. He really seems to have the timing down and gets off the walls like a rocket. I don't think anyone else is able to maintain their momentum through the turns like Cielo does. I haven't seen too many videos of him swimming. Does he do as well in SCM (or LCM)? In SCY, it seems to me that a fellow knows that after x strokes he could, theoretically, turn with his eyes closed knowing he's exactly z-inches away from the wall; yet the longer the course is, the less accurately the turns can be blind-timed.