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?
USA Swimming issued an interpretation today (just arrived in my inbox) to interpret its rule like FINA's:
There have recently been a number of questions regarding the use of two swimsuits during competition. Although the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations do not specifically address this, FINA has interpreted its General Rule GR 5.3 to allow the use of only one swimsuit during competition.
Our Rules & Regulations require that USA Swimming’s technical swimming rules conform to those of FINA. In order for our interpretation to conform to that used by FINA, the following interpretation is being made, effective immediately.
For purposes of Article 102.9 of the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations, Swimwear, the use of more than one swimsuit at a time during any USA Swimming sanctioned or approved competition is prohibited.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Here is USA Swimming Article 102.9 (2009 Rulebook, effective May 15):
102.9.1 Design
A Swimsuits worn for all 12 & under age group defined competition shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor past the knee.
B Swimsuits worn for competition must be non-transparent and conform to the current concept of the appropriate.
C The Referee shall have authority to bar offenders from the competition until they comply with the rule.
102.9.2 Insignia (omitted)
102.9.3 Advertising (omitted)
So the question is, will this interpretation attach to USMS 102.14?
Swimwear
102.14.1 Design -- The swimsuits worn for competition shall be non-transparent and conform to the current concept of the appropriate. The referee shall have authority to bar offenders from competition until they comply with this rule.
102.14.2 Advertising (omitted)
Patrick King
USA Swimming issued an interpretation today (just arrived in my inbox) to interpret its rule like FINA's:
There have recently been a number of questions regarding the use of two swimsuits during competition. Although the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations do not specifically address this, FINA has interpreted its General Rule GR 5.3 to allow the use of only one swimsuit during competition.
Our Rules & Regulations require that USA Swimming’s technical swimming rules conform to those of FINA. In order for our interpretation to conform to that used by FINA, the following interpretation is being made, effective immediately.
For purposes of Article 102.9 of the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations, Swimwear, the use of more than one swimsuit at a time during any USA Swimming sanctioned or approved competition is prohibited.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Here is USA Swimming Article 102.9 (2009 Rulebook, effective May 15):
102.9.1 Design
A Swimsuits worn for all 12 & under age group defined competition shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor past the knee.
B Swimsuits worn for competition must be non-transparent and conform to the current concept of the appropriate.
C The Referee shall have authority to bar offenders from the competition until they comply with the rule.
102.9.2 Insignia (omitted)
102.9.3 Advertising (omitted)
So the question is, will this interpretation attach to USMS 102.14?
Swimwear
102.14.1 Design -- The swimsuits worn for competition shall be non-transparent and conform to the current concept of the appropriate. The referee shall have authority to bar offenders from competition until they comply with this rule.
102.14.2 Advertising (omitted)
Patrick King
