FINA issued Ruled,www.usms.org/.../showpost.php
Soon the USMS rules committee will issue their ruling.
SCM & LCM seems to be a done deal, the 2010 seasons started on Jan 1, 2010 & the rule began on Jan 1, 2010.
SCY is an American thing. The 2009 - 2010 SCY season began on June 1st 2009 and ends on May 31st 2010.
Will the new suit rules take effect immediately or at the end of this season?
I've heard rumours we might be able to wear full body suits at 2010 SCY Nats.
Look forward to finding out what the USMS ruling will be for SCY.
1/15/10 FINA BUREAU CONSIDERS SWIMWEAR RULES FOR MASTERS
The FINA Bureau has considered Masters swimwear rules. The USMS Rules Committee will learn the results shortly and then will immediately reconsider the USMS swimwear rules in cooperation with the USMS Executive Committee. All USMS members will be notified of any changes to USMS swimwear rules and the effective date. Regardless of any changes to the USMS swimwear rules, the June 1, 2009 USMS swimwear interpretations will apply for the duration of the One Hour Postal Swim being conducted in January 2010.
from www.usms.org/.../20100115swimsuits.pdf
you'll find the update at http://www.usms.org/rules/
True: that's why I think banning them immediately would have been okay, because the most important part of the season (LMSC champs, zones, nationals) is still to come.
But whatever. Maybe the grace period is good psychologically, going cold turkey to beat addition can be a tough. :)
If you look at the best times data base for ages 50+ you will see lots of swims at major taper meets (Senior Games e.g.) already submitted for this year. Those swims were from last summer and count for 2010.
BTW swimmers can still get B70's for $100
www.blueseventy.com/.../product.php
for those who get the nero comp now, I heard B70 is going to offer some sort of discount program for USMS swimmers when they order the FINA approved NEROTX. Don't have any details.
Hey... how about they just go back to the old days when swimsuits were made primarily of wool... and swimmers lathered their bodies in axel grease and/or shed the swimsuits completely???
Where to do draw the line on technology is a futile pursuit!!
My grandma holds USMS records in the 85-95 age group, but if the next hot grannie comes along and desires to don the latest in technology - more power to her :)
P.S. She also greased up for marathon distance swimming from 1928-1932 - go grandma!! :cheerleader:
www.swimcatalina.org/.../Chapter 1-2.pdf
i found this article when I was researching my grandma's accomplishments - she's not in it, but it has incredible story of swimming back in the day.. she was at one time engaged to the winner of this race
Karlene said 6/1, that's June 1st, after SC Nationals.
I'm not sure why Jim mentioned tapered meets until March?
I'm thinking I missed something?
Looking at all of this: It sounds reasonable to me, myself, and I (all 3 of us) that if people have already swum SCY meets in these suits this year, that you need to keep them until the end of the SCY season. Then ban them.
No one knows exactly what Fina is going to allow as yet for regular swimmers. My source says they are going to allow neck to knee for men. So how can USMS make any kind of knowlegible decision.
Jan 10th has passed everyone still in the dark. After they make their final say it could still change.
We may still see zippers and full length suits made from Zylocon.
I thought there was no official vote on SCY at convention. And did HOD actually officially "vote" on all courses or just debate? I thought there was just a ruling straight from committee with recommendations for FINA for men and women? (For example, USMS suggested zippers should be OK.)
Thanks Karlene.
In looking at the minutes from the HOD at convention, they voted on 3 options. 1) To ban suits immdediatly. 2) Don't remember 3) To ban suits scm/lcm once fina made a decision and allow bodysuits through the scy season.
The voting broke down to something like 1)101 2)3 3)93
EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE
Due to the change in Masters swimwear rules published by FINA January 16, 2010, and pursuant to Article 601.4.8, the USMS Rules Committee and the USMS Executive Committee have approved the following emergency changes to the USMS swimwear rules. These changes are effective immediately for short course meters and long course meters competition. The changes are effective June 1, 2010 for short course yards competition. Note that the new swimwear rules no longer allow modesty/privacy wear underneath the competition suit nor zippers or fasteners of any kind except for a waist tie on a brief or jammer. The new swimwear rules will not govern the One Hour Swim being conducted January 2010.
Changes to the swimwear rules are underlined below.
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 Swimwear shall include only a swimsuit, cap and goggles (a nose clip and ear plugs are allowed). Arm bands or leg bands shall not be regarded as parts of the swimsuit and are not allowed.
102.14.3 In swimming competitions, the competitor must wear only one swimsuit in one or two pieces. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials. Except for open water competitions, for men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel nor below the knees, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the knees.
102.14.4 Only swimsuits complying with FINA swimsuit specifications may be worn in any US Masters Swimming sanctioned or recognized competition.
102.14.5 Exemptions to the foregoing restrictions may be granted to a swimmer, on a case by case basis, by the Chair of the Rules Committee or designee. Exemptions will be granted only for conflicts due to the swimmer’s verified religious beliefs or verified medical conditions.
A Procedures for applying for an exemption will be established by the Rules Committee and posted on the US Masters Swimming website.
B No exemption to these restrictions will be granted for a swimsuit that will give the swimmer a competitive advantage.
C The decision of the Rules Chair may be appealed only to the entire Rules Committee whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
102.14.6 Swimmers are not permitted to wear or use any device or substance or swimsuit to help their speed, pace, buoyancy or endurance during a race (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, etc.). Goggles may be worn, and rubdown oil applied if not considered excessive by the Referee. Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the Referee.
102.14.7 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.
For any questions contact:
Kathy Casey, Chair
USMS Rules Committee
rules@usms.org
From: www.usms.org/.../20100119swimsuits.pdf
What a joke. IMHO, either you follow FINA period and ban the suits effective 01-01-10, or you allow the suits for all courses and just forget about the world rankings... Why allow them just for one more SCY season?!
Although I love the suits and hated to see them banned, I will swim jammer-only from now on.
