Ban the tech suits?

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?
Parents
  • I don't believe FINA will ban impermeable material,only limit it.I suspect the upper limit of material will be just above the LZR so it will stay legal.LZR has less impermeable area than B-70.B-70 may need to make slight modifications in material,but I suspect their suits will evolve. Given that the LZR is faster than the B70 (check # WRs and prevailing opinion), it seems odd that the MORE performance enhancing suit would stay legal and the less performance enhancing suit would be banned. Looks like the monopolist wins in this situation. Makes no sense to me. Wouldn't be surprised if B70 sued. The "rules" may possibly be unfair. It will be interesting to see the fall out. I'm sure B70 will evolve, as Allen notes. Jimby still thinks all PBs necessarily reflect B70 use, even if you've improved your prior B70s times ... The USS swimmers will have more trouble going back to slightly less performance enhancing suits than us masters, I fear.
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  • I don't believe FINA will ban impermeable material,only limit it.I suspect the upper limit of material will be just above the LZR so it will stay legal.LZR has less impermeable area than B-70.B-70 may need to make slight modifications in material,but I suspect their suits will evolve. Given that the LZR is faster than the B70 (check # WRs and prevailing opinion), it seems odd that the MORE performance enhancing suit would stay legal and the less performance enhancing suit would be banned. Looks like the monopolist wins in this situation. Makes no sense to me. Wouldn't be surprised if B70 sued. The "rules" may possibly be unfair. It will be interesting to see the fall out. I'm sure B70 will evolve, as Allen notes. Jimby still thinks all PBs necessarily reflect B70 use, even if you've improved your prior B70s times ... The USS swimmers will have more trouble going back to slightly less performance enhancing suits than us masters, I fear.
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