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May 20, 2008
USA Swimming hopes for quick settlement to swimsuit case
from the AP…
A top USA Swimming official said Friday he hopes a lawsuit accusing the governing body of being in cahoots with Speedo will be resolved quickly so athletes can focus on the Beijing Olympics.
Chuck Wielgus, executive director of the national governing body, also disputed claims by California-based TYR Sport that USA Swimming and its head coach, Mark Schubert, were trying to persuade American swimmers to switch to Speedo’s revolutionary “LZR Racer” suit even if they have sponsorship deals with other companies.
“While we cannot comment on pending litigation, it is important to note that USA Swimming does not dictate which brand of personal competitive gear our national team athletes wear,” Wielgus said in a statement. “Rather, U.S. athletes are free to wear their preferred brand of suit, cap and goggles.”
May 19, 2008
Battle over swimsuits moves to the courtroom
from the AP….
By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports
With the Beijing Olympics less than three months away, the battle over swimsuits has turned into a lawsuit.
In a case sure to rock the swimming world, California-based TYR Sport went to federal court this week alleging that rival Speedo, manufacturer of the record-breaking “LZR Racer,” has conspired with USA Swimming to stifle competition and lure top U.S. athletes away from other companies.
The main issue: Speedo’s financial relationship with the sport’s American governing body and the head coach of the U.S. team, Mark Schubert.
April 24, 2008
TYR unveils its challenger to Speedo’s new LZR Racer suit
from th AP…
LOS ANGELES (AP) -A new challenger to the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit is making its debut at the French Olympic trials this week.
TYR Sport is unveiling its Tracer Rise suit, which some swimmers have been competing in since January. Speedo unveiled its suit in February. The suits are made of polyurethane woven fabric that is water-repellant and lightweight.
The LZR Racer has ultrasonically bonded seams to help reduce drag, while the Tracer Rise has compression panels that contour certain muscle groups to control movement.
Speedo claims its suit can improve performance by up to 2 percent. TYR, based in Huntington Beach, claims the improvement of its suit is up to 4 percent.
“This technology hasn’t been seen before in the sport of swimming,” said Steve Furniss, TYR co-founder and a 1972 Olympic swimming medalist. “Tracer Rise propels the sport into an entirely new direction by pushing the innovation envelope. Fast just got faster.”
French swimmer Amaury Leveaux won the 200-meter freestyle on Tuesday wearing a Tracer. His time of 1 minute, 46.54 seconds is second-fastest in the world this year, behind the 1:45.71 by world record holder Michael Phelps wearing a Speedo suit in February.
Earlier this month, American Mary DeScenza, wearing a Tracer, broke Mary T. Meagher’s U.S. record in the 200 butterfly by more than a second.
April 11, 2008
US coach: Every swim record could be broken at Beijing Olympics thanks to new Speedo suit
From the Associated Press…
MANCHESTER, England (AP) -The Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit is making such a splash in the pool that U.S. coach Mark Schubert believes every record in the sport could fall at the Beijing Olympics.
Since the suit was unveiled in February, 19 long-course world records have been set and four short-course marks. The new Speedo suit has been worn in all but one of the 23 records.
At this point in 2004 - the last Olympic year - five world records had been set.
Swimming’s world governing body decided last weekend not to ban the new high-tech suit, despite claims of buoyancy and “technological doping” by some critics.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see every world record broken at the games, and hopefully we’ll get a big percentage of those,” said Schubert, one of the most outspoken supporters of the new swimsuit.
April 8, 2008
FINA rules to allow Speedo’s new LZR Racer suit
Italy coach criticizes move as ‘technological doping’
from the Associated Press…
MANCHESTER, England (AP) - If the current trend continues, world records could become the norm after the International Swimming Federation ruled Speedo’s new high-tech LZR Racer suit is legal.
The LZR has been worn for 18 of the 19 world records set since it was introduced in February. Critics have claimed the swimsuit makes competitors more buoyant, but FINA disagreed.
“There is no scientific proof that it helps somehow, to the best of FINA’s knowledge,” FINA told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
FINA is set to meet with swimsuit manufacturers at the short-course world championships this weekend in Manchester. Other companies are due to come out soon with suits to compete with the LZR.
“The meeting on Saturday is not because of this, it was already scheduled before. It’s a coincidence that FINA will be meeting with all the manufacturers - Speedo, Arena, Diana, Nike, Adidas,” FINA said.
March 31, 2008
Open Water Swim Tips
As the season officially kicks off this weekend, I thought a few tips were in order.
1. Don’t fight the water. Relax and swim as streamlined as possible.
2. Know the course. Remember, the fastest line is a straight line (don’t zig zag or you can easily add 25% to your swim)
3. Learn more than one stroke so you can rest if need be. The ability to roll onto your side or back can prove invaluable if you get tired or collide with another swimmer.
4. Conserve your energy. Minimize kicking to save your legs for cycling and running
5. Swim your place and pace. Pick the best spot to maintain your own pace without getting run over y other swimmers.
This video clip from Barb Lindquist and Wes Hobson was very well done and informative.
The entire DVD is available here: Triathlon–Racing Faster
March 24, 2008
Speedo’s new LZR Racer bodysuit - wonder how long before it makes the jump to triathlon?
Swim officials to tackle suit issue
By Derek Parr, Reuters Posted: 2008-03-24 13:44:55
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (Reuters) - Top swimming officials are to have talks with manufacturers next month after a cascade of world records have been set using bodysuits.
From the United States to Australia via Eindhoven, 11 world records have been set since February 16 in Speedo’s new LZR Racer bodysuit.
Frenchman Alain Bernard demolished the old sprint freestyle order in Eindhoven, breaking three world records in the space of three days in the Speedo suit.
With the Beijing Olympics looming in August, coaches and officials are worried the swimming world could be split into those who have access to the $550 suit and those who do not.
The latter could miss out because the suit may not be immediately available to all or because their national federations are contracted to other manufacturers.
Swimming’s world governing body FINA approved the suit last year but has called for the meeting with manufacturers during next month’s world short-course championships in Manchester.
March 11, 2008
AP Sports: Phelps a double winner in his Olympic year debut
LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Michael Phelps opened the Olympic year with two victories at the Southern California Grand Prix, swimming his best times in the 100- and 500-yard freestyles Saturday night.
September 24, 2007
Inspiration for us all
Most of you have probably heard or seen the story already, but this video is awesome.
September 24, 2007
Challenged Athletes Foundation needs your help
This group does a wonderful job and now they need our help. Please pass the word and do what you can…
A fire at the foundation’s main office on Saturday destroyed an estimated $600,000 worth of property, equipment and banners which had been donated for their largest annual fundraiser - the 14th annual San Diego Triathlon Challenge in La Jolla on Oct. 28.
Since it began in 1994, the foundation has raised more than $11 million that it gives in grants to physically challenged athletes worldwide. In many cases, the money is used to buy wheelchairs and prostheses.
Virginia Tinley, the foundation’s executive director, hopes insurance will cover most of the damage, but is concerned that with the event just weeks away, they may not be able to replace the donated supplies for the fundraiser in time.
Please go to their for website more.
