Ban the tech suits?

We will need to enlist a volunteer army of frotteurs. But where could we possibly find such people? Oh, all right! I will volunteer. en.wikipedia.org/.../Frotteurism Just another reason to stick with a non-tech suit! I hope they change the rule to allow for a non-tech suit to be worn under a tech suit. I don't see any reasonable way to enforce it, no advantage gained, and only the possibility for bad behavior (outing other swimmers, frotteurism, etc.). I just thought the concept of double or triple bagging yourself in tech suits was not a good idea and was obviously done to increase bouyancy. Geek, you might be right too. Hard to tell without inside knowledge. The fact that I haven't heard any B70 protests (yet) lead me to believe in my theory for now. Tim

Here's the link to Stacking Suits Tip 219 Stacking Tech Suits That's another reason for your big time drops then; it's not all B70. The suit underneath (e.g. Pro, FS II, aquablade,LZR) provides compression and the B70 provides buoyancy. That's why some people suit stack. See Ande's SFF tip re: "suit stacking."

Leslie, can you recall your first meet that you used a B70? Since you only swim USMS meets, there should be a list on your USMS member page of all your times in all events before and after B70 wearing. I would like to see the data. Consider posting to your blog the complete list of sanctioned times (and you can include the ones that you did that weren't sanctioned after the fact) in each event you have swum with and without a B70, indicating type of suit. Posted the data: forums.usms.org/blog.php Only listed races with 3+ swims. No huge chunks of time dropping off like Karen. But I've not double suited either. Analyze away. I think the B70 helps you swim fast unrested. I think some of my faster times are complicated by the fact that I've been lifting "heavy" and trying to be "non-weak" for about 10 months now, since Austin 2008. How much this factors into my times depends on how much one thinks weight lifting helps sprinters. Personally, I still think the B70 helps more in distance events.

Here's the link to Stacking Suits Tip 219 Stacking Tech Suits Sounds like we have our first suit stacking victim - www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../20710.aspFlash!%20Therese%20Alshammar%20Breaks%20World%20Record%20in%2050%20Fly;%20Loses%20Record%20Due%20to%20Two%20Suits 5 hours to review? They have to come up with a better process like pre-race screening or something. I can just see this happening in the Worlds or Olympics - hours of video replay after the races to determine if someone double bagged isn't going to go well. Looks like Australia allows training suits to be worn under the tech suit too. Tim

YES People do get disqualified for wearing 2 suits (stacking) can be bad advice. It has already happened ca.news.yahoo.com/.../swim_aus

Blue Seventy's CEO Steve Nicholls comments on FINA Dubai charter. blueseventy’s CEO Steve Nicholls is confident that blueseventy will be able to adapt to any rulings that have come from the FINA Dubai charter. “We’ve been involved, along with FINA and the other major manufacturers for the last few months in making sure that our products are meeting any restrictions, both in the immediate and long term future” said Nicholls. Fina’s rules, issued in a two stage process, will limit suits on thickness, buoyancy and other areas as of March 31st this year. This will be the standard until Jan 1st 2010, when the restrictions of phase two will come into effect. “Phase one should not affect the legality of our current suits at all. All our in-house testing has shown that our current suits meet all of the phase one restrictions, including those relating to buoyancy. There has been a lot of incorrect information, and personal viewpoints ushered into the public arena, and we feel that some of these tests will help reduce the confusion that seems to be out there.” “Phase two, will limit suits based on permeability, and dependant upon what that permeability ruling is, theoretically we may need to adjust our designs to make sure we retain a viable swimskin product beyond 2010. Since the FINA think tank in February, we’ve changed our design focus around those possible rulings and have some exciting concepts already in the pipeline.” That’s for the future. For now blueseventy suits are fast becoming the suit of choice for swimmers globally, none more so than in the US college season, where blueseventy nero suits took more State championships than any other brand. The current suits should remain in circulation until Jan 1st 2010 when, pending the new permeability rulings they may be phased out. Commenting on the rulings, Global sales and marketing manager Dean Jackson said “We’re committed to being a long term partner of FINA, and swimming, thats why we’ve invested back into the sport already, with sponsorship of US masters, and the FINA open water 10km Marathon series. This means that we are listening to coaches, athletes and others in order to ensure we are designing products that meet with the direction of the sport that FINA is charged with protecting. “

Blue Seventy's CEO Steve Nicholls comments on FINA Dubai charter. Fina’s rules, issued in a two stage process, will limit suits on thickness, buoyancy and other areas as of March 31st this year. This will be the standard until Jan 1st 2010, when the restrictions of phase two will come into effect. “Phase one should not affect the legality of our current suits at all. All our in-house testing has shown that our current suits meet all of the phase one restrictions, including those relating to buoyancy. There has been a lot of incorrect information, and personal viewpoints ushered into the public arena, and we feel that some of these tests will help reduce the confusion that seems to be out there.” “Phase two, will limit suits based on permeability, and dependant upon what that permeability ruling is, theoretically we may need to adjust our designs to make sure we retain a viable swimskin product beyond 2010. Since the FINA think tank in February, we’ve changed our design focus around those possible rulings and have some exciting concepts already in the pipeline.” That’s for the future. For now blueseventy suits are fast becoming the suit of choice for swimmers globally, none more so than in the US college season, where blueseventy nero suits took more State championships than any other brand. The current suits should remain in circulation until Jan 1st 2010 when, pending the new permeability rulings they may be phased out. Commenting on the rulings, Global sales and marketing manager Dean Jackson said “We’re committed to being a long term partner of FINA, and swimming, thats why we’ve invested back into the sport already, with sponsorship of US masters, and the FINA open water 10km Marathon series. This means that we are listening to coaches, athletes and others in order to ensure we are designing products that meet with the direction of the sport that FINA is charged with protecting. “ Geek, Do you concede to my line of thinking on this yet? Market opportunity for B70 instead of global domination by Speedo. Obviously it is an evolving matter, but it doesn't sound like doomsday to me. Tim

Geek, Do you concede to my line of thinking on this yet? Market opportunity for B70 instead of global domination by Speedo. Obviously it is an evolving matter, but it doesn't sound like doomsday to me. Tim Yes, a good economic conspiracy is always intriguing to me. I still think Speedo will buy B70.

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

I take it FINA's ruling applies to USMS? I would assume it does NOT unless USMS specifically adds wording or issues an interpretation similar to what USA-S has done. The USMS rules, as written, do not address multiple swimsuits. Maybe we need to hear from Kathy Casey on this?