Dennis Baker suggested something interesting on Facebook today. He said he thinks the suits actually help the swimmers with the best technique the most. This is contrary to popular opinion which has been that the suit helps swimmers with poor technique and body position more. I tend to agree.
Someone posted a video of Biedermann from Beijing and also last fall when he broke the 200 Free SCM world record and it sure looked like his stroke changed fairly dramatically in 4 months. The angles are different, but it kind of looked like his body position improved significantly and as they commented in the 200 free at Worlds that it looks like he is swimming downhill (and right down the center line too). At Beijing he didn't look nearly the same to me and Biedermann's stroke at the Olympics didn't stick out as one of the better strokes in the finals. I think it seems like some swimmers get technique/body position benefits from the suits that are greater than others. I have heard many swimmers say that the larger swimmers get more benefit (Biedermann and Lin seem to fall into that category) whereas the Phelps, Lochte, Peirsol, etc. that are lean and streamlined already may have less of a benefit which explains why they are able to do well with or without the full tech suits. So, maybe the people that get the most benefit are the larger swimmers that have good technique and body position already, but just are dragged down somewhat by their size (naturally larger profile in the water). I guess the only way to find out is if FINA goes to the ban next year, but I am feeling that they are going to back track.
Zhang Lin's last 50 was just shocking yesterday. Has anyone ever swam a last 50 of an 800 or 1500 within 2 seconds of what he did in his last 50? Was he just toying with Ous the first 750?
Tim
Dennis Baker suggested something interesting on Facebook today. He said he thinks the suits actually help the swimmers with the best technique the most. This is contrary to popular opinion which has been that the suit helps swimmers with poor technique and body position more. I tend to agree.
Someone posted a video of Biedermann from Beijing and also last fall when he broke the 200 Free SCM world record and it sure looked like his stroke changed fairly dramatically in 4 months. The angles are different, but it kind of looked like his body position improved significantly and as they commented in the 200 free at Worlds that it looks like he is swimming downhill (and right down the center line too). At Beijing he didn't look nearly the same to me and Biedermann's stroke at the Olympics didn't stick out as one of the better strokes in the finals. I think it seems like some swimmers get technique/body position benefits from the suits that are greater than others. I have heard many swimmers say that the larger swimmers get more benefit (Biedermann and Lin seem to fall into that category) whereas the Phelps, Lochte, Peirsol, etc. that are lean and streamlined already may have less of a benefit which explains why they are able to do well with or without the full tech suits. So, maybe the people that get the most benefit are the larger swimmers that have good technique and body position already, but just are dragged down somewhat by their size (naturally larger profile in the water). I guess the only way to find out is if FINA goes to the ban next year, but I am feeling that they are going to back track.
Zhang Lin's last 50 was just shocking yesterday. Has anyone ever swam a last 50 of an 800 or 1500 within 2 seconds of what he did in his last 50? Was he just toying with Ous the first 750?
Tim
