Of course Speedo has been a huge positive force for swimming. But competition is good. And some things they do - like the Mark Schubert influence - stink all around.
AGREED!
To some extent Speedo is the bad guy
Yes, and it'd be nice to know the whole extent ... One wonders what a plaintiff's lawyer representing B70 might find ... given the all around "stink" so many have alluded to. I'm sure it's easy for successful monopolists to "give back" when there's little competition.
I don't really understand the conspiracy theories or the anti-Speedo mentality. I see daily the good things Speedo does at our club.
I also know that B70 quickly built a very loyal following, not only in USMS, but with the age groupers and the tri community. I think that is great. However, there is a whole lot more to a new product than simply making the product, most notably, being able to anticipate market conditions and your competition. It seems this is just part of the athletic apparel game. I hope B70 can adapt and succeed.
It takes a whole lot more than a few rocks and a leather strap to knock out your competition.
It was mentioned to me a long time ago that Speedo reps were having dinner with FINA officials during one of these suit "discussions" in Switzerland. That is one reason I smell a rat wearing a LZR.
According to the Steve Nicholl interview, B70 submitted 11 suits for testing. I have to believe the new B70 legskin was one. It strains credibility to believe that any legskin -- whether made entirely of a wholly impermeable fabric or not --could possibly trap more air than a full body suit made of impermeable fabrics with breathable panels.
its sad to see that this ruling has created a panic among us. (though i am not an "us" in this case) i offer these well worn words to those of you who would rather be eaten by wild animals than have to race a single 50 in anything less than full coverage:
Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
And what about the B70 PointZero3??? That was introduced prior to the supposed cut off for mid-year testing/ratification but yet is not listed but yet quite a few suits introduced prior to that supposed cut-off ARE listed.
its sad to see that this ruling has created a panic among us. (though i am not an "us" in this case) i offer these well worn words to those of you who would rather be eaten by wild animals than have to race a single 50 in anything less than full coverage:
Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
HAHA....your sooo funny. Good news...not all the body/tech suits are gone. So, we can still race in more than bare coverage.
This should be a start to a happy medium for both sides. For the "pro tech" suit crowds, there is still a large number of body suits out there. One of them should be able to fit your body, distance, event. For the "anti-tech" crowd, some of the suits they deemed really offensive are out in their current form.
So both sides have won and lost.
It was mentioned to me a long time ago that Speedo reps were having dinner with FINA officials during one of these suit "discussions" in Switzerland. That is one reason I smell a rat wearing a LZR.
Exactly, know your competition, be prepared for it and respond accordingly.
