Fina final decision on tech suits for masters

Well, I'm glad it's over. Looks like it'll be endurance jammers or other such cheap lycra for me for the time being. While I'm still on the edge as to whether or not the limited amount of material in jammers make any real difference to warrant buying the new suits, I'll probably buy a pair of B70 jammers with the new material for Nationals given that I believe I've still got a discount waiting for me because of when I bought a Nero Comp last year. I just need to figure out how to access that discount. I'll put my full body suits in storage for now so that I can break them out again in a few months or next year when FINA flip-flops again.:)

I am slightly depressed by this decision. As I posted on Facebook: James Scott Thornton realizes that with FINA's ban of high tech suits, his swimming times will add a bit of time--several decades, actually, per event. As far as "fast" jammers go, it's hard to imagine anything with that little coverage is likely to make much difference, and I am not inclined to give the swimming equipment industry any more than minimal dollars. Let us hope that what the scientists call "hedonic adjustment" takes place quickly, and that next year at this time, those of us whose times get worse (by seconds or decades) will have accepted the change and made peace with it!

If I purchased two Neros during the time frame, can I get two new suits at discount?

I'll probably buy a pair of B70 jammers with the new material for Nationals given that I believe I've still got a discount waiting for me because of when I bought a Nero Comp last year. I just need to figure out how to access that discount. B70 sent me a press release a few days ago with some details on how the buy back would work... blueseventy buyback scheme details 1. Go to www.blueseventy.com 2. Click on the nero buy back button 3. A form will pop up 4. Complete the form with a. Name b. Email c. Name of the store product was purchased from d. Date of purchase e. SC number (link on how to find SC number f. Size (drop down menu) g. Model (drop down menu) 5. An email will be sent with a single use promotional code 6. Go to www.blueseventy.com 7. Purchase a new neroTX using the promo code previously received 8. Send banned product along with proof of purchase to to; Blueseventy Care of Buy Back Program 117 West Denny Way Suite 215 Seattle, WA 98119 9. Acceptable proof of purchase a. Invoice from blueseventy b. Receipt from retail location the suit was purchased c. Debit or credit card statement showing the transaction ( other line items may be blacked out for your privacy). 10. Suit will be dispatched to you on receipt of your old suit and proof of purchase.

A couple of comments on Riccione. I attended the 2003 competition held there. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the competition, but didn't find it particularly conducive to fast swimming. The competition pools were decent (one new indoor 50m and one outdoor 50m, alternating men's and women's between them. The pool surrounds were very crowded and keeping comfortable out of the heat was a challenge. There was an indoor 25m warm up pool but I found it overcrowded much of the time and very poorly supervised, eg no speed grading by lane. If you go, you might want to find a hotel with a good pool to warm up away from the event venue. The organisation was, well, Italian. It is a nice Italian family vacation town. It has a fun buzz, but you might want to check the hotels carefully to ensure operating AC and being quietly away from the party crowds if you need to sleep pre-comp.

I wish we could say that it's "over" but if I recall USMS needs to act again.... By the way, what does it mean that Masters swimwear will be the same as "per pool swimming". Isn't "pool swimming" what we do too? Also, I love how it's the last thing in the release. We're nearly an afterthought! (I edited my post because as first written, it was unnecessarily inflamatory. No reason to throw fuel on the fire here....)

By the way, what does it mean that Masters swimwear will be the same as "per pool swimming". Isn't "pool swimming" what we do too? Because OW swimming has different rules. Also, the complete item mentions both: "14. Swimwear: - Open Water: from June 1, 2010 Open Water Swimwear, for both Men and Women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below the ankle. All Open Water swimsuits shall comply with the FINA Criteria for Materials and Approval Procedures. Until June 2010, the 2009 models can be used in order to protect the athlete from sunburn, jellyfish etc. - Masters: the same swimwear regulations as per pool swimming will be applied from January 1, 2010."

Because OW swimming has different rules. Also, the complete item mentions both: "14. Swimwear: - Open Water: from June 1, 2010 Open Water Swimwear, for both Men and Women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below the ankle. All Open Water swimsuits shall comply with the FINA Criteria for Materials and Approval Procedures. Until June 2010, the 2009 models can be used in order to protect the athlete from sunburn, jellyfish etc. - Masters: the same swimwear regulations as per pool swimming will be applied from January 1, 2010." A couple of thoughts. First, the USMS 1 mile OW championship is in late May. So, does that mean anything goes for that swim? Second, sunburn and jellyfish is the most ludicrous reasoning I've ever heard. Does the sun stop shining and jellyfish stop stinging on June 1?

Because OW swimming has different rules. Also, the complete item mentions both: "14. Swimwear: - Open Water: from June 1, 2010 Open Water Swimwear, for both Men and Women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below the ankle. All Open Water swimsuits shall comply with the FINA Criteria for Materials and Approval Procedures. Until June 2010, the 2009 models can be used in order to protect the athlete from sunburn, jellyfish etc. - Masters: the same swimwear regulations as per pool swimming will be applied from January 1, 2010." Yeah, but shouldn't it have said "as per non-masters pool swimming"? Maybe it's just a poor translation but still...

A couple of thoughts. First, the USMS 1 mile OW championship is in late May. So, does that mean anything goes for that swim? I am not sure. I would hope the USMS Long Distance Committee will make a statement about it: "The Long Distance Committee shall oversee the rules and administration of open water and long distance events." Second, sunburn and jellyfish is the most ludicrous reasoning I've ever heard. Absolutely agree with that.