I love the quote from the FINA "press office": "The new rules relating to swimwear do not apply to open water. They apply to swimming."
Very idiotic remark.
I'm not sure I buy the rationale for keeping B70 swim skins in the OW, but not the pool. If it's to minimize negative effects from UV rays and coral, wouldn't a Pro bodysuit work as well as a swim skin? Last time I checked, B70s were pretty rippy. If it's for warmth, why can't swimmers wear a wetsuit and compete in the wetsuit division? The statement/announcement justifies the need for the swim skins as: assisting "progress" in a sport already experiencing a massive boom in popularity, providing "vital" commercial involvement, increasing participation and helping ensure confidence. Wouldn't these same rationales apply to the pool?
So, unless I receive further elucidation from OW swimmers, I remain unconvinced that they should be allowed in OW but not the pool. The OW swimmers I know certainly seem happy about it. I hope USMS follows the European lead at Convention and permits them in the pool as well.
BTW, the whiney denunciation of tech suits as "unfair" in the "Both Sides of the Lane Line" column was really dull and unconvincing. (Sorry Nancy Brown, but that was my impression.)
I love the quote from the FINA "press office": "The new rules relating to swimwear do not apply to open water. They apply to swimming."
Very idiotic remark.
I'm not sure I buy the rationale for keeping B70 swim skins in the OW, but not the pool. If it's to minimize negative effects from UV rays and coral, wouldn't a Pro bodysuit work as well as a swim skin? Last time I checked, B70s were pretty rippy. If it's for warmth, why can't swimmers wear a wetsuit and compete in the wetsuit division? The statement/announcement justifies the need for the swim skins as: assisting "progress" in a sport already experiencing a massive boom in popularity, providing "vital" commercial involvement, increasing participation and helping ensure confidence. Wouldn't these same rationales apply to the pool?
So, unless I receive further elucidation from OW swimmers, I remain unconvinced that they should be allowed in OW but not the pool. The OW swimmers I know certainly seem happy about it. I hope USMS follows the European lead at Convention and permits them in the pool as well.
BTW, the whiney denunciation of tech suits as "unfair" in the "Both Sides of the Lane Line" column was really dull and unconvincing. (Sorry Nancy Brown, but that was my impression.)
