Really only have taken a good look at the 100 breastroke (men) times, but, over-all really slow (in my opinion) No world records. Has the suits made that much difference? I don't know. Pool conditions-weather-who knows??
I must point out that Vladislav Bragin, the world record holder in the 35-39 100 ***, swam more than three seconds slower than the world record he set last November. I just checked results for the 50, and he didn't even win. He went almost a second slower than his 50 world record (but still faster than I was able to go this summer). When I watched video of both those world records, I believed -- and still do -- that the suits were of big help to him. Unless there was a major headwind, he didn't have his suit tied, his goggles filled with water and he was not tapered this week, there's no other explanation for a three-second differential in a 100 in six months.
Also of note (at least to me): Ukranian Olympian Oleg Lisogor swam a 28.63 in the 30-34 50 ***, breaking my meet record of 29.01 from 2006.
I'm not saying the suits have no effect. For me personally, the suits made me about 1 second faster per 100 than when I was shaved and wearing an FS Pro jammer. I'm just saying that, as you imply, there are lots of factors which could lead to slower times and it's not all (or necessarily even primarily) attributable to the suits. Maybe Vlad's career, family or other interests interfered with his training and he was badly out of shape. Or maybe he was sick recently (or currently). Or a host of other things. I can't believe that the suits could cause an elite-class swimmer to drop 3 seconds in his 100 ***. I'd be curious for his perspective.
I must point out that Vladislav Bragin, the world record holder in the 35-39 100 ***, swam more than three seconds slower than the world record he set last November. I just checked results for the 50, and he didn't even win. He went almost a second slower than his 50 world record (but still faster than I was able to go this summer). When I watched video of both those world records, I believed -- and still do -- that the suits were of big help to him. Unless there was a major headwind, he didn't have his suit tied, his goggles filled with water and he was not tapered this week, there's no other explanation for a three-second differential in a 100 in six months.
Also of note (at least to me): Ukranian Olympian Oleg Lisogor swam a 28.63 in the 30-34 50 ***, breaking my meet record of 29.01 from 2006.
I'm not saying the suits have no effect. For me personally, the suits made me about 1 second faster per 100 than when I was shaved and wearing an FS Pro jammer. I'm just saying that, as you imply, there are lots of factors which could lead to slower times and it's not all (or necessarily even primarily) attributable to the suits. Maybe Vlad's career, family or other interests interfered with his training and he was badly out of shape. Or maybe he was sick recently (or currently). Or a host of other things. I can't believe that the suits could cause an elite-class swimmer to drop 3 seconds in his 100 ***. I'd be curious for his perspective.
