The reason they leave those two outside lanes open in Olympics and world championships is so no one gets stuck swimming next to the wall, which sometimes is advantageous, sometime disadvantageous. As it is, the people on the outside have that empty lane which isn't creating a wave. The two sprint freestyle races in 2004 for men had amazing swims from lane eight to win medals (Duje Draganja in the 50, Ian Thorpe in the 100).
Anyway, if 2012 LC nationals has a large attendance, as I imagine it will, using 10 lanes will be a no-brainer, so we can be out of there at a decent hour each day. Imagine having only one pool for 1,000-plus swimmers at a four-day meet!
The reason they leave those two outside lanes open in Olympics and world championships is so no one gets stuck swimming next to the wall, which sometimes is advantageous, sometime disadvantageous. As it is, the people on the outside have that empty lane which isn't creating a wave. The two sprint freestyle races in 2004 for men had amazing swims from lane eight to win medals (Duje Draganja in the 50, Ian Thorpe in the 100).
Anyway, if 2012 LC nationals has a large attendance, as I imagine it will, using 10 lanes will be a no-brainer, so we can be out of there at a decent hour each day. Imagine having only one pool for 1,000-plus swimmers at a four-day meet!
