Craig Lord's rather inflammatory article www.swimnews.com/.../6918 on the possibility that USMS will depart from FINA vis a vis allowed swim suits raises a fundamental issue:
If masters swimming allows a more lenient policy regarding suit technology than FINA swimming, will this help or hurt our status in the swimming world?
I love the high tech suits, and I think FINA has been boneheaded in many ways, but I personally think that the creation of a two-tier system--regular swimming and masters "handicapped" swimming--would be bad for our sport and only marginalize us in the world of athletics.
If the choice comes down to two options--abide by FINA's suit rulings OR permit suits like the B70 for masters (if it is outlawed by FINA for "real" swimmers), which side would you support?
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Probably the most consequential thing he said was that FINA will very likely outlaw permeable materials altogether as of Jan 1, 2010. I wouldn't be too anxious to buy a LZR right now! Although I guess since they wear out after one meet it might not matter. :)
Seems to me the biggest reason to buy a B70 or similar suit is that they last longer. If they switch back to textile suits, will someone be able to develop a suit that lasts longer than a few meets?
Probably the most consequential thing he said was that FINA will very likely outlaw permeable materials altogether as of Jan 1, 2010. I wouldn't be too anxious to buy a LZR right now! Although I guess since they wear out after one meet it might not matter. :)
Seems to me the biggest reason to buy a B70 or similar suit is that they last longer. If they switch back to textile suits, will someone be able to develop a suit that lasts longer than a few meets?
