In order of priority, I think USMS' adherence to swimsuit rules, in pool and open water, should be:
Aligned with FINA and the rest of the global Masters' community
Aligned with FINA and the rest of the global elite/age-group/USA-S community
Like everyone, I think FINA has botched this about every step of the way ... the recent OW ruling is just one more example.
However, as there is even a smaller group of USMS swimmers who also compete in #2-style events, if there is a disconnect between #1 and #2, we should be in synch with the Masters community.
Now, like Fort (I think), I believe we should allow full body tech suits with defined, measurable criteria. I'd base those criteria on what's on the market today and some very objective regulation scheme (anathema to my libertarian leanings as saying that is) in place moving forward.
As Clydesdale is wont to say, "100% agree" (I think. ;))
Since only a miniscule percentage of masters pool swimmers compete in USS meets, I don't think USS rules should automatically determine our fate. If a masters swimmer is competing in a USS meet, he/she can follow USS rules (just as I did this summer during the first ban of the B70).
In order of priority, I think USMS' adherence to swimsuit rules, in pool and open water, should be:
Aligned with FINA and the rest of the global Masters' community
Aligned with FINA and the rest of the global elite/age-group/USA-S community
Like everyone, I think FINA has botched this about every step of the way ... the recent OW ruling is just one more example.
However, as there is even a smaller group of USMS swimmers who also compete in #2-style events, if there is a disconnect between #1 and #2, we should be in synch with the Masters community.
Now, like Fort (I think), I believe we should allow full body tech suits with defined, measurable criteria. I'd base those criteria on what's on the market today and some very objective regulation scheme (anathema to my libertarian leanings as saying that is) in place moving forward.
As Clydesdale is wont to say, "100% agree" (I think. ;))
Since only a miniscule percentage of masters pool swimmers compete in USS meets, I don't think USS rules should automatically determine our fate. If a masters swimmer is competing in a USS meet, he/she can follow USS rules (just as I did this summer during the first ban of the B70).
