So is my B70 Illegal now?

Kirk said: "As much as I'd like to continue to use my B70 suit I don't think I can with a clear conscious. At this time it is not approved by FINA and unless they reverse their ruling I think it should be considered illegal. I hope masters swimmers do some self-policing on this issue. We really shouldn't be wearing suits that are not FINA approved." I couldn't agree more.

The way I see it, I paid nearly $400 for a great suit manufactured by a sponsor of USMS. I will never be close to a world record or a top ten listing, so it matters not to me whether FINA approves my beloved Nero Comp. I work hard in the pool and am drug-free (unless you count Aleve), but I am not genetically gifted in the slightest, consequently I will continue to wear it with a clear conscience. Besides, didn't someone here once say that "it's only Masters"?

Um. . . so this all means I should wear my FSPro to be safe and skip the B70?

What a mess. As much as I'd like to continue to use my B70 suit I don't think I can with a clear conscience. At this time it is not approved by FINA and unless they reverse their ruling I think it should be considered illegal. I hope masters swimmers do some self-policing on this issue. We really shouldn't be wearing suits that are not FINA approved.

donna, i talked to a olympic athlete, tyr sponsored who swims at our pool and she said aquapel, fusion and aquashift are fine, they were manufactured before 2007. and seriously, i have an old aquapel- the floatation is zero. so enjoy your suits. :) puffy, chill and have a great meet.:) fs pro is fine. I'm so confused with all these rules for the different organizations. Is the Aquapel okay for USA-S meets? I swim in them occasionally and that's the only tech suit I own.

going to go out on alimb for this one, aquapel should be ok. even for USS meets, but don';t quote me, the aquapel was manufactured i think around 2003 or 4, i wore one at riccione worlds in 2004 creampuff, i haven't been 15 % since my college days. with the little amount i am swimming this summer ( pool space issues)- i am probably up to 50 %. i don;t think i could have fit in my racing suit for the meet this weekend. good luck:cheerleader:

BTW, Kathy Casey responded to my inquiry regarding my B70 suit. She said it and the FS Pro are legal for USMS meets this weekend based on USMS's statement. That's great clarity ... now, Kathy, Rob, USMS Powers-that-Be, why can't we get a simple, clear, no-interpretation-needed message out to the entire USMS populace regarding B70 usage? As a bonus, it would be ideal if USMS could then get clear agreement with FINA as to how they are going to manage WRs and World Top Ten this summer. On the one hand, I can see FINA saying that they'd reject US times because USMS has not abided by their approved list. On the other hand, since meet results (at least now) don't record each swimmer's suit, I think swimmers have a legitimate reason to state that any time swum in a sanctioned meet should count.

I know how you feel. I was just reading the new updates from USA swimming and according to how I interpret the ruling my TYR Aquapel, Fusion II and Aqua Shift appear to no longer be allowed if they are down to the knee. I too have a meet this weekend and would like to were my Aquapel short john but I may have to wear my short suits or buy one of the approved suits if I want to wear a knee suit. Since my reason for swimming this one is to pace one of my swimmers I may push the envelope and see how the officials react. donna, i talked to a olympic athlete, tyr sponsored who swims at our pool and she said aquapel, fusion and aquashift are fine, they were manufactured before 2007. and seriously, i have an old aquapel- the floatation is zero. so enjoy your suits. :) puffy, chill and have a great meet.:) fs pro is fine.

puffkins, there was never any question to the fs pro. and if any ga official says there is they are wrong. see the fina list. from what i have been told, suits prior to 2007 are ok. the pro was a prior suit, and i don;t remember it ever having floatation values. i don't even feel like racing anymore, it is such a hassle and yes, paul s. , i am a wimp

i would wear the pro, i think it will save everyone a lot of headaches in the end... besides, haven't you done some smoking fast times in the pro anyways? :) ha ha I've only worn the FSII and B70. Pro got passed over by me (never wore one) b/c it did not seem very economical to just get a few swims out of it. . .