Do any of you guys who follow college swimming have a sense yet about the impact of the FINA tech suit ban is having on elite swimming times?
I tried looking up results this year and last year--I know the Championships haven't taken place yet for the top tier, but some big meet started Feb 17th (and is presumably over now)--but I just couldn't figure out how to find the data necessary to make a preliminary comparison.
Thanks.
I am not that surprised that women's times, in particular, are not terribly effected because I believe the suits women are allowed to wear post-ban are almost as good as the suits pre-ban. I know Leslie will howl at this, but the loss of coverage from knee to ankle, and the loss of a zipper in the back (which means some loss of coverage in the back, too, and probably not as much overall compression) is significant, but in my mind, not that significant!
But you're forgetting the most important dirty word all the purists use to describe tech suits -- rubber, rubber, rubber. That's more important than knee to ankle coverage. Women hate knee skins because they make us look fat and are extremely uncomfy on the thighs.
I'm sure the thinner swimmers will be less effected than those that could lose a few pounds.
I don't really hear much whining about the loss of tech suits from kids. I think masters (and definitely me) whine more b/c we've been wearing them longer and, in some cases (me, Ande, Mike Ross, etc.) every meet.
I am not that surprised that women's times, in particular, are not terribly effected because I believe the suits women are allowed to wear post-ban are almost as good as the suits pre-ban. I know Leslie will howl at this, but the loss of coverage from knee to ankle, and the loss of a zipper in the back (which means some loss of coverage in the back, too, and probably not as much overall compression) is significant, but in my mind, not that significant!
But you're forgetting the most important dirty word all the purists use to describe tech suits -- rubber, rubber, rubber. That's more important than knee to ankle coverage. Women hate knee skins because they make us look fat and are extremely uncomfy on the thighs.
I'm sure the thinner swimmers will be less effected than those that could lose a few pounds.
I don't really hear much whining about the loss of tech suits from kids. I think masters (and definitely me) whine more b/c we've been wearing them longer and, in some cases (me, Ande, Mike Ross, etc.) every meet.
