Lot of confusion today from FINA and the swim suit list. Here is a letter from Dean at blueseventy:
Dear USMS friends,
I’ve already had a slew of calls and emails from swimmers wanting to know what our response is to the overnight release of the FINA approved suits list.
Many of you will know that we submitted 11 models of suits for approval, including tights and jammers. As a company and personally we were very comfortable with the criteria for testing that FINA had outlined, our suits passed well under the threshold for buoyancy and thickness proposed by them.
We have had confirmation that our suits passed the independent laboratory testing for both these tests.
However at this time, our suits are not listed on FINA’s site as an approved model. Even the models we submitted and received approval for in late 2007. It is suffice to say I am stunned at this omission. Ofiicially we are classified as one of the suits that and I quote”May cause significant air trapping when worn by the swimmers”.
However, there are several other brands, a from a similar background as us, that have made suits that have used exactly the same fabric, and similar construction that have passed without a problem.
We are confused!!!! and currently seeking clarification from FINA as to this and the steps to understand why suits of the same materials, construction and similar design are deemed legal but not ours...did we do something to offend?
We understand that right now we have 30 days to make modifications in order to allow the suit to no longer trap air, although how a suit does this, in what shape, size, or method it is required is not clear. Trapping air is of course not a measurable value, and the subjective nature of this decision leaves conspiracy theories flying into my inbox.
Initially the Dubai charter and resubmission of these suits was in order to gain acceptance for Rome World championships. My understanding is that previously approved suits remain legal for all competitions otherwise...I guess for masters it is the decision of the boards and other governing bodies.
Right now my friends we are working through the best solution to the short term situation once we understand the decision and process from FINA, and will in the next few days be working on a statement that will encompass all the issues raised in this forum. We care about swimmers, we care about our company and we care about fair play for all brands in this process.
Thanks to you all
Deano
Dean Jackson
I’ve already had a slew of calls and emails from swimmers wanting to know what our response is to the overnight release of the FINA approved suits list.
Many of you will know that we submitted 11 models of suits for approval, including tights and jammers. As a company and personally we were very comfortable with the criteria for testing that FINA had outlined, our suits passed well under the threshold for buoyancy and thickness proposed by them.
We have had confirmation that our suits passed the independent laboratory testing for both these tests.
However at this time, our suits are not listed on FINA’s site as an approved model. Even the models we submitted and received approval for in late 2007. It is suffice to say I am stunned at this omission. Ofiicially we are classified as one of the suits that and I quote”May cause significant air trapping when worn by the swimmers”.
However, there are several other brands, a from a similar background as us, that have made suits that have used exactly the same fabric, and similar construction that have passed without a problem.
We are confused!!!! and currently seeking clarification from FINA as to this and the steps to understand why suits of the same materials, construction and similar design are deemed legal but not ours...did we do something to offend?
We understand that right now we have 30 days to make modifications in order to allow the suit to no longer trap air, although how a suit does this, in what shape, size, or method it is required is not clear. Trapping air is of course not a measurable value, and the subjective nature of this decision leaves conspiracy theories flying into my inbox.
Initially the Dubai charter and resubmission of these suits was in order to gain acceptance for Rome World championships. My understanding is that previously approved suits remain legal for all competitions otherwise...I guess for masters it is the decision of the boards and other governing bodies.
Right now my friends we are working through the best solution to the short term situation once we understand the decision and process from FINA, and will in the next few days be working on a statement that will encompass all the issues raised in this forum. We care about swimmers, we care about our company and we care about fair play for all brands in this process.
Thanks to you all
Deano
Dean Jackson
