Blogger Trevr sent me a link to a PopSCI.com gallery which features 10-images of Natalie Coughlin, Michael Phelps and a bunch of computer models wearing the new Speedo Lazr. [Link]One picture illustrates a "girdle-like" construct within the suit to keep your core tighter. Now, if FINA can let THAT be okay, then why not "tripwires" on the Aquashift? Lame!
The Lazr costs $550; the jammers are $290. It's unfortunate that no swimming publication; albeit online or in print, have the courage to test these types of suits in a side-by-side comparison to see which brand really offers the fastest suit technology or even what sort of time advantage does one offer over the others. What if the Speedo Lazr is the fastest suit in the world but only offers a 2-tenths-of-a-second improvement in a 100 LCM free? Is the suit worth $500 to you if it makes you look like a "trekkie." Also, highly paid "mercenaries" do not count. Michale Phelps could probably with a 200 fly wearing wool board shorts.
Car and Driver has their "Car of the Year" and they certainly do shootouts from time to time.
3 comments:
A comparison test is oh so temping... I'd gladly do it if the companies offered up some free media suits. I am not going to fork over the cash for all the new suits though. I am a freelance automotive journalist and mechanical engineer , so I have a bit of experience with that whole Car and Driver type comparison test thing. I wonder if they would mind me making use of the environmental lab at work... hmm...
I agree with you 100% about the trade off between any speed improvement the suit gives from wearing and one's appearance. If there's money to be made in this sport its going to come from the 'look' of an elite swimmer and these suits are damn ugly. Ian Thorpe reportedly rejected any idea of him taking off some muscle and swimming leaner, opting for appearance rather than a possible small increase in efficiency. I think he was right - certainly his endorsements have paid off and they continue to this day. Rather than wear one of these corsets I'd sacrifice the one or two tenths a hundred and go for look. Especially for the women. Take Natalie Coughlin for instance. I believe her wearing a two piece at the Olympics as she has done occasionally would create just as much media sensation as setting a personal best (and new world record). Certainly she'd be remembered by many, many more people for that rather than her time. Speedo et al should do research in the opposite direction as well - and figure how little a suit they can put on a woman for the least time penalty. I think there's a market for such a suit. And for the women who'd wear it.
It would be great if you could rent these suits, TYR, LZR, Nike, Arena, blueseventy, and Diana to see which is the fastest and how much speed do they offer as compared to a brief or a bikini.
I may consider buying a blueseventy and doing my own test.
Scott, I want to do a post on your comment.
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