sportsillustrated.cnn.com/.../index.html
From the man whose WR has been broken four times in the last two months.....
I like his attitude. He could never be a USMS swimmer. Too much whining here about everything.
As a masters swimmer, I think it is much more complicated. Fortress made the comment that only the overly-principled or under-funded would not get the suit, but I beg to differ. Maybe I am wrong, but I am not at all sure that my enjoyment of the sport would be greatly enhanced by, roughly, an additional $550 per year even if I gained an additional 1-2% on my times (and I am not sure that I would).
The cost isn't just monetary. I read the thread about the FS Pro and the trials and tribulations in putting one on, the risk of ripping it, keeping it dry -- all things that may be worse with the LZR -- and all I think is, "thank God I don't go through all that before my races." The ONLY thing the suit potentially has going for it is speed, in ALL other respects it is worse than its predecessors.
Now if a technical suit existed that was comfortable, durable, reasonably priced AND was faster than briefs/jammers, you can sign me up for that! We'll probably get there at some point.
I'm with Paul on this one. I love the feel of the Pro in the water. It's worth the huge hassle of putting it on. I wore an old FS II in practice the other day. Hated it! Most of the water repellancy was gone, but it felt heavy and sodden. So I can't go back. It sounds like there will be less expensive alternatives to the LZR anyway. Although I'm hoping my current Pro will last awhile. My last one did.
As a masters swimmer, I think it is much more complicated. Fortress made the comment that only the overly-principled or under-funded would not get the suit, but I beg to differ. Maybe I am wrong, but I am not at all sure that my enjoyment of the sport would be greatly enhanced by, roughly, an additional $550 per year even if I gained an additional 1-2% on my times (and I am not sure that I would).
The cost isn't just monetary. I read the thread about the FS Pro and the trials and tribulations in putting one on, the risk of ripping it, keeping it dry -- all things that may be worse with the LZR -- and all I think is, "thank God I don't go through all that before my races." The ONLY thing the suit potentially has going for it is speed, in ALL other respects it is worse than its predecessors.
Now if a technical suit existed that was comfortable, durable, reasonably priced AND was faster than briefs/jammers, you can sign me up for that! We'll probably get there at some point.
I'm with Paul on this one. I love the feel of the Pro in the water. It's worth the huge hassle of putting it on. I wore an old FS II in practice the other day. Hated it! Most of the water repellancy was gone, but it felt heavy and sodden. So I can't go back. It sounds like there will be less expensive alternatives to the LZR anyway. Although I'm hoping my current Pro will last awhile. My last one did.
