Yes - one more time it's about the suit:
Here is a comparison to 2004 and what it took to make top 16 (top 8 for the 400) over the first 7 events:
2004 listed first then 2008 then the approx. % drop
400 IM - 4:24.8 to 4:21.0 1.5%
100 Fly - 1:01.29 to 59.97 2%
400 Free - 3:55.0 to 3:51.4 1.6%
400 IM - 4:49.57 to 4:43.2 2.3%
100 Br - 1:04.0 to 1:02.36 2.5%
100 Bk - 1:04.12 to 1:02.31 2.6%
200 Free - 1:51.1 to 1:48.76 2.2%
Ok - to be fair, people are getting faster, but I would guess at least a 1.5% drop across the board for the suit -- that is net time !
So, on Friday, I swam the 50 free and 50 fly wearing a vintage "paper suit" brief. Times were 26.05 and 22.82. On Sunday, not really being in shape to swim a good 100, I decided to wear a Fastskin Pro bodysuit and go all out on the first 50 of each. Times were 25.12 and 22.30.
I remember when you posted that. I did my experiment at a USA-S meet, so no 50s, and I used the FSII not the FS-Pro. I didn't have the same improvement as you -- my times mostly got slower with the FSII, actually -- but I'm willing to repeat the experiment with a different suit. It probably won't be until next spring, however.
It may well depend on the swimmer and the event. I remember Paul wondering if the B70 was better for bigger swimmers. (In a way that seems pretty unfair...Paul already has an advantage in reach over most people and now he might get to negate one of the downsides of being big...). I also remember cursing my body suit at the end of the 200 fly, when I felt like I couldn't get enough air...!
By the way, 22 is a pretty smoking 50 fly time :)
So, on Friday, I swam the 50 free and 50 fly wearing a vintage "paper suit" brief. Times were 26.05 and 22.82. On Sunday, not really being in shape to swim a good 100, I decided to wear a Fastskin Pro bodysuit and go all out on the first 50 of each. Times were 25.12 and 22.30.
I remember when you posted that. I did my experiment at a USA-S meet, so no 50s, and I used the FSII not the FS-Pro. I didn't have the same improvement as you -- my times mostly got slower with the FSII, actually -- but I'm willing to repeat the experiment with a different suit. It probably won't be until next spring, however.
It may well depend on the swimmer and the event. I remember Paul wondering if the B70 was better for bigger swimmers. (In a way that seems pretty unfair...Paul already has an advantage in reach over most people and now he might get to negate one of the downsides of being big...). I also remember cursing my body suit at the end of the 200 fly, when I felt like I couldn't get enough air...!
By the way, 22 is a pretty smoking 50 fly time :)
