On this forum I read that FINA was meeting at the end of March to determine what suits would be legal based on criteria concerning material, permeability, etc., and that the decision would apply to USMS as well. B70 is offering a good discount on its Nero suit in April. If it is illegal after January 1, 2009, that means it's use would be limited to summer and fall. Does anyone know what FINA has decided? Is the B70 going to be legal or illegal next year?
I appreciate hearing from anyone who knows. There are a couple of days left in April and I can still get a discount!
The end of March deadline was for swimwear companies to submit suits for consideration, not FINA's decision. The FINA decision on "legal' suits has not yet been made public.
I bought a new B70 and finally received it last Friday.
If you swim in a lot of meets like I do, I think its worth it.
Even if they ban the suit in 2010, by that time my suit will be history.
I just hope the new B70 model won't be $500.+ to accomodate the $200. discount offered to replace our banned model.
But you know me... I completely trust that B70 will be more than fair to the strong supporters they have in masters swimming.
I do love my new Nero suit - even if I bobbed like a cork last weekend... my wounds from the lane lines are healing -and my times improved quite a bit.
See you in Clovis.
Ahelee
The B70 Nero Comp is currently legal BUT was submitted for retesting & it's legality might change when FINAs approved list comes out sometime in May.
If it makes the list it won't be legal after 01/01/10 because it has more than 50% non permeable material.
The B70 Point Zero 3 is legal & did not have to be retested because it launched September 2007. It won't be legal after 1/1/10.
B70 is working on new designs that should be legal after 1/1/10
Designs are due soon.
Heard B70 is about to launch some sort of a discount or buy back program for those who buy a B70 Nero, i think in April till year end if the Nero Comp is legal. NO details yet, nothing official, but it's likely to provide an attractive discount when swimmers get the B70 model that's legal after 1/1/10.
I'd like Deano's views on whether the Nero and the pointZero3 will be illegal as of 1/1/10... Glad to hear my pointZero3 will be legal all year at least, as this is the second year I've owned it. Hopefully the judges at Nats will understand the difference between it and the Nero (in the event that the Nero is made illegal).
It seems like swimming may be heading the way of America's Cup yachting. Even once the rules for boats (in our case, body boats) are prescribed, the desire to get an edge is such that it's hard to believe that the market for same will not exploit every miniscule nook and cranny not expressly prohibited -- and command a banker's ransom for the privilege of wearing the latest tweaked techno advantage.
I am sure that you can argue that this is already happening. Those who have the $$ to buy the suits post faster times.
The B70 Nero Comp is currently legal BUT was submitted for retesting & it's legality might change when FINAs approved list comes out sometime in May.
If it makes the list it won't be legal after 01/01/10 because it has more than 50% non permeable material.
The B70 Point Zero 3 is legal & did not have to be retested because it launched September 2007. It won't be legal after 1/1/10.
B70 is working on new designs that should be legal after 1/1/10
Designs are due soon.
Heard B70 is about to launch some sort of a discount or buy back program for those who buy a B70 Nero, i think in April till year end if the Nero Comp is legal. NO details yet, nothing official, but it's likely to provide an attractive discount when swimmers get the B70 model that's legal after 1/1/10.
Has there been any discussion about records that have been set in suits that may be ruled illegal for future competition?
Has the "A" word (asterisk) been bandied about yet by the higher authorities?
I do not envy those who must make these decisions. The toothpaste is out of the tube.
It seems like swimming may be heading the way of America's Cup yachting. Even once the rules for boats (in our case, body boats) are prescribed, the desire to get an edge is such that it's hard to believe that the market for same will not exploit every miniscule nook and cranny not expressly prohibited -- and command a banker's ransom for the privilege of wearing the latest tweaked techno advantage.
On this forum I read that FINA was meeting at the end of March to determine what suits would be legal based on criteria concerning material, permeability, etc., and that the decision would apply to USMS as well. B70 is offering a good discount on its Nero suit in April. If it is illegal after January 1, 2009, that means it's use would be limited to summer and fall. Does anyone know what FINA has decided? Is the B70 going to be legal or illegal next year?
I appreciate hearing from anyone who knows. There are a couple of days left in April and I can still get a discount!
Thanks for asking re the legality of the blueseventy Nero suit. Please see the recent press release posted below from ourselves. I would just like to point out that no one suit has been approved yet, and like the others we are awaiting notification from FINA. Please note that the next major change in the rules (Still to be finalised) is in November for suits to be submitted for 2010 approval. If anyone has any questions then please do contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Deano
23rd April 2009: blueseventy was one of several swimsuit manufacturers to meet with FINA today to witness and discuss the testing procedures and regulations outlined at the Dubai charter in February.
During the meeting FINA outlined the testing procedures both for the regulations that are currently being implemented, and also the regulations expected to take effect on January 1st 2010. This included defining the tests to be used for suit buoyancy and permeability for the approval of suits for submission in March 2009 and in November 2009.
All parties agreed that progress based on discussions between major manufacturers and the sport’s governing body needed to go ahead as quickly as possible given the deadlines. Therefore if design changes are needed they can be implemented quickly in order to meet the November deadlines required for 2010 approval.
FINA has received over 300 submissions since March this year, including several from blueseventy. Testing is nearly complete and its worth noting that all manufacturers will be informed at the same time if their submissions has been approved or rejected. The process has taken longer than expected and while we know this may affect consumer confidence, we would like to take this opportunity to reassure all that we have 100% confidence in our suits passing the tests.
Commenting on the current status, blueseventy’s CEO, Steve Nicholls comments; “I’d like to emphasise that we are in the same position as all the other swim brands. ALL manufactures have had to submit every suit that has been previously approved, as well as any new technology. We have submitted items that fall into both categories and we’re confident that there will be no problems regarding approval. All our suits have been internally tested and are well within any of the thresholds imposed by the March 31st regulations.”
About blueseventy
blueseventy, aptly named due to 70% of the earth being covered in water, is the world leader in triathlon and open water wetsuits and swimskins. Since 1993, the global brand has designed, tested, refined and crafted products that have instilled confidence in swimmers of all levels and carried world-class athletes to victory. With the launch of the truly innovative and technically advanced Nero in 2007, a swimskin designed specifically for elite swimmers, blueseventy is now making its mark in the pool with US swim star Randall Ball setting a new world record in the suit last month.
Visit www.blueseventy.com for further information and the full range of products.
For more information please contact dean@blueseventy.com
