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?
I don't know, though. Did you read the John Leonard article? In "phase I" suits will be required to have less than 100 g of buoyancy. I'm assuming the new test procedure will involve putting a 100 g weight on the suit and then it better, by God, sink or the suit is out. Leonard also talks about the manufacturer who is in it for the "fast buck" and I think we can all read between the lines and realize he's talking about Blue Seventy. He also hints that if their suits are banned they might resort to legal action.
So what if FINA already knows that the LZR suit will pass this test but the Nero Comp will not? You have to wonder where exactly the 100 g number came from, after all. If this is the case you could certainly argue FINA is establishing a test procedure that will allow the LZR to pass, but the Nero to fail, and I'd say if that's true then Blue Seventy has every right to be upset.
It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out.
I remember the "fast bucks" comment, but can't specifically remember the letter now. I'll have to search for it.
When was the Phase I test supposed to occur? Could that be the one the B70 flunked? The guy I spoke to also said there was a problem with the LZR. The material over the chest may be illegal in the future, but he said not until 2010.
I don't know, though. Did you read the John Leonard article? In "phase I" suits will be required to have less than 100 g of buoyancy. I'm assuming the new test procedure will involve putting a 100 g weight on the suit and then it better, by God, sink or the suit is out. Leonard also talks about the manufacturer who is in it for the "fast buck" and I think we can all read between the lines and realize he's talking about Blue Seventy. He also hints that if their suits are banned they might resort to legal action.
So what if FINA already knows that the LZR suit will pass this test but the Nero Comp will not? You have to wonder where exactly the 100 g number came from, after all. If this is the case you could certainly argue FINA is establishing a test procedure that will allow the LZR to pass, but the Nero to fail, and I'd say if that's true then Blue Seventy has every right to be upset.
It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out.
I remember the "fast bucks" comment, but can't specifically remember the letter now. I'll have to search for it.
When was the Phase I test supposed to occur? Could that be the one the B70 flunked? The guy I spoke to also said there was a problem with the LZR. The material over the chest may be illegal in the future, but he said not until 2010.
