I am just back from the SPMA meet where all the top finisher were wearing the latest generation tech suits,mostly B-70s(or were named Jeff Commings.)I have here to for been in favor of the suits,but now I am not so sure.First,they eliminate the old bench marks.I went my fastest 100m BR in 5 yr in my LZR,but it was only .3 sec faster than I did untapered 5 wk earlier in my first swim in the LZR.So was my swim good or not,I'm not sure.Also,instead of focusing on technique or pace I found myself ruminating over aspects of the suits,how many more swims did the suit have,is it the right size,was the reason I didn't get better results from my B-70 because it was too big?etc.The B-70 has somewhat mitigated the "too expensive,not durable" problem,but for how long.
Lets say a company comes up with a suit that is much faster,say 4 sec/100.Further that it is very expensive(say $1000) lasts 4 swims and is very hard to make so that quantities are always limited and the fastest way to get one is to bid up to $3000 on ebay. Now lets say your nemesis has one,or that getting one is your best chance to get TT or AA or a ZR or WR,or that your child is close to making JO cuts,or finally beating his/her nemesis etc. Is it worth it and where does it stop?
As for me, I am disinclined to do any USMS open water races until speed suits are placed into a division separate from briefs. I have no interest in incurring travel expenses to go and compete in races with the deck stacked against me.
Everybody knows that speed suits alone give a substantial advantage. They are changing the sport to be more about gear than about skill. Unlike developments, for example, in timing, which create a fairer playing field, the speed suits create a non-level playing field, which is the whole point of their existence. This is especially absurd in non-professional leagues like USMS. The legalization of speed suits has started an arms race. Is the end game a destruction of the sport?
Get rid of them. Get the speed suits out of the competitions, USMS. Please.
As for me, I am disinclined to do any USMS open water races until speed suits are placed into a division separate from briefs. I have no interest in incurring travel expenses to go and compete in races with the deck stacked against me.
Everybody knows that speed suits alone give a substantial advantage. They are changing the sport to be more about gear than about skill. Unlike developments, for example, in timing, which create a fairer playing field, the speed suits create a non-level playing field, which is the whole point of their existence. This is especially absurd in non-professional leagues like USMS. The legalization of speed suits has started an arms race. Is the end game a destruction of the sport?
Get rid of them. Get the speed suits out of the competitions, USMS. Please.
