Good one, qbrain. My point--in case it wasn't clear--is what rules are valid? Since the event starts on January 1st does that mean whatever suit rules are in place then (presumably the current ones which allow body suits) are valid for the entire one month duration of the event?
I suspect it won't apply because despite rules (I think) stating an official should be there, I suspect many attempts (including all of mine) are done solo with a family member counting/timing.
The Postal entry form typically says that it is governed by the prior year's Long Distance Rules. So the '09 swim was governed by the '08 Long Distance Rules. I presume the '10 swim will be the same.
The '09 Long Distance Rules have their very own suit requirement:
303.6 Swimwear
303.6.1 Swimwear shall be the same as defined in article 102.14.1 and 102.14.2.
Goggles, ear plugs and grease shall be allowed. The suit shall be made of
a porous material.
So is a B70 "made of a porous material"? I have no idea.
The two other suit rules referenced have no bearing on the question:
102.14 Swimwear
102.14.1 Design—The swimsuits worn for competition shall be nontransparent and
conform to the current concept of the appropriate. The referee shall have
authority to bar offenders from competition until they comply with this
rule.
102.14.2 Advertising—Products involving tobacco, alcohol or pharmaceuticals
containing drugs banned under IOC or FINA rules may not be advertised,
but the advertiser’s name only may be used. Offenders may be barred from
competition until they comply with this rule.
So if FINA and USMS decide to impose new swimsuit guidelines in January how will this affect the One Hour Postal?
I expect it will take some of us an hour and a half.
Good one, qbrain. My point--in case it wasn't clear--is what rules are valid? Since the event starts on January 1st does that mean whatever suit rules are in place then (presumably the current ones which allow body suits) are valid for the entire one month duration of the event?
It would seem that they will have to let the current rules stay in place for the duration of the event. If a new ruling comes out in mid-jan, it wouldn't be right to make the people doing the event in the latter half have to swim under different rules than the ones that did it at the start.
So, let current suit rules apply for the enitre month for this event or state before Jan. 1 that 2010 FINA suit rules apply to the event.
Has the link been updated to reflect the 2010 One-Hour Postal entry form and Host info???
Hmmm, yes it has. www.usms.org/.../OHPentry.pdf
It would appear that the swim will be governed by the 2010 rules, including those for suits:
The 2010 USMS Rules govern these events, including swimsuits.
Of couse, we don't know what those rules are, or whether they may change in the middle of January.
102.14.1 Design—The swimsuits worn for competition shall be nontransparent
Has anyone ever shown up in a transparent suit?:blush:
OT Story: My wife swims with me, for those who don't know.
Our old masters coach, who was female, told me one morning "I am glad to see Brook is wearing a new suit because I was about to start telling you to carry her in wrapped in a towel and toss her into the pool."
Of course, that wasn't for a postal swim, it was just for regular practice.
I suspect it won't apply because despite rules (I think) stating an official should be there, I suspect many attempts (including all of mine) are done solo with a family member counting/timing.
Nope... the rules just say that you need an independent observer/verifier there who is an adult. I.e., the person who is counting laps and recording splits. This person does not need to be a certified official.
Over-arching USMS rules indicate that the rules for a competition are whatever rules are in effect on the first day of the meet. It's the second sentence in Part 1 of the USMS rule book. So the 2010 USMS rules, as of January 1, 2010, should be in effect for the entire One Hour Swim.
I also notice (not sure if this is a change this year, but at least recently)... that splits only need to be recorded to the nearest second, not 1/10 second. That's a nice change. I can't imagine I'm the only person who counted for people in the OHS and would, occasionally, estimate the tenths part of a split time for the swimmer.
-Rick
