Olympic Swimming Trials

[TwentyFo]

Anyone been watching the Olympic Swim Trials?

It has been amazing so far. Yesterdy (Sunday), the first day, 2 world records were broken and an American Record. Already today, in prelims, the world record in backstroke was broken twice in consecutive heats. The meet is being held in Omaha, Nebraska at the Qwest Center Arena. The pool is said to be one of the fastest ever created. The atmosphere is phenomenal.

I will more than likely attend one of the finals this week, hopefully the one on Wednesday. I encourage you guys to check it out on the USA Network during the week and NBC during the weekend. The times are around 'primetime', so check you listings to see when it's on.

[Reschke]

Yep it looks like we will have a super swimming team once again in the Olympics.

[SWrokit]

Have ya also heard how some are screaming "FOUL" because of super-dooper swim wear    And here all this time I thought it was athletic ability.........talk about sore losers lol

[TwentyFo]

Yea I've definitely heard about the swimsuit issue. New suits come out every year that are meant for speed. I remember when I swam Speedo came out with a suit called the Aquablade. After that they came out with a suit called Sharkskin, and finally they came out with their best suit yet the Lazer. These special suits shave a few tenths or hundreths off of a time. However, it is up to the swimmer to perform. I always thought of these suits as a placebo to psyche the swimmer into thinking that they were automatically faster. That's the sign of the times with technology being the way it is.

[lasersailor184]

Yea I've definitely heard about the swimsuit issue. New suits come out every year that are meant for speed. I remember when I swam Speedo came out with a suit called the Aquablade. After that they came out with a suit called Sharkskin, and finally they came out with their best suit yet the Lazer. These special suits shave a few tenths or hundreths off of a time. However, it is up to the swimmer to perform. I always thought of these suits as a placebo to psyche the swimmer into thinking that they were automatically faster. That's the sign of the times with technology being the way it is.

Or is it possible that the suits reduce the profile of the swimmer?

I'm no small man, but I do look rather fine in my wetsuit (one of the reasons why I love it).

[Gh0stFT]

the only real swimm record is done naked, everything else is cheating IMHO.

[TwentyFo]

Or is it possible that the suits reduce the profile of the swimmer?

I'm no small man, but I do look rather fine in my wetsuit (one of the reasons why I love it).

A little bit. The LZR suit is seamless and its smooth surface allows the water to pass more smoothly. Skin induced drag seems to be what Speedo was trying to eliminate. I went to their web site and they claim that this new suit reduces drag by 10% compared to their older fastskin suit.

Reading about the suit has been very fascinating. Speedo used some really interesting technologies to ensure that they create a suit that will allow for some really fast swimming. Here is the link to speedo's website where you can see all the innovations and research that took place.


Click on "Behind the Technology" to see all of the information.
http://www.speedousa.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.browse/categoryID/0894ba6e-2853-4f88-9371-78365a1582f0/#

[lasersailor184]

It is really interesting.  However should feats of pure human strength become arms races?


All's fair in REAL love and war, however at what point are people racing the suits, and not the people?

[midnight Target]

Putting on the suit doesn't make you fast.

[Fulmar]

Yeah, I was wondering if we had recruited some former East German female swimmers for the men's team.

[texasmom]

Skin induced drag.  

      

While I do realize you were serious... it is very funny.
Thanks for posting, 24. I'll watch for it. =)

"No kids... today I ain't taking you to the pool.  Instead, you're going to watch swimmers on TV."