Dressed for success: the Speedo LZR

Mon, Aug 18, 2008    to del.icio.us

A total of 21 world records were set during the swimming portion of the Beijing Olympic games, and according to a local swimmer who knows a thing or two about setting records, it's all in the suit.

Grand Haven's Jason Lintjer, an all-state and All-American swimmer for the Buccaneers the past several years, said there's no doubt the new LZR Racer (pronounced Laser Racer) suit from Speedo is a significant factor in the world records falling like leaves in late October.

"Yes, the training has changed and certain technicalities have been altered, but this new suit is the real deal," said Lintjer, who leaves today for Michigan State University.

The LZR Racer was developed earlier this year by Speedo, with the help of NASA and the Australian Institute of Sport. As of August 14 of this year, a total of 62 world records have been broken by swimmers wearing the LZR Racer, and 33 of the first 36 Olympic medals were won wearing it.

"This is the way I look at it: The lack of friction on someone's body will help the swimmer most in short races," Lintjer said. "The 50 freestyle world record was 21.64 (seconds) held by Alexander Popov in the year 2000. No one even got close for 8 years, until it was broken four times in 2008.

"The 50 free world record drop from 21.64 to suddenly eight years later to 21.28 is similar to Tyson Gay running a 9.50 in the 100-meter dash. Critics thought that the 50 free world record would never go below 21.50."

According to Wikipedia.org, the LZR Racer is composed of woven elastane-nylon and polyurethane-Gore-Tex. The suits allows for better oxygen flow to the muscles, and holds the body in a more hydrodynamic position, while repelling water. The seams of the suit are ultrasonically welded to further reduce drag. The suit reportedly can lower racing times for a competitor by 1.9 to 2.2 percent.

Lintjer remembers when a previous Speedo suit, the Fastskin, came out, and the hype it received.

"There was similar results, but not to this extent," he said. "I have worn a Fastskin for years now and it was the best suit out there. Now I almost feel obligated to get (a LZR Racer). I would seriously feel as though I was at a disadvantage (without one)."

Lintjer has some time before he needs to suit up for a competitive race. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder earlier this summer and will take a medical redshirt at MSU this year.

"I'll be back in full swing soon enough, though," Lintjer said. "I'm shooting for the World Championship trials in early June, 2009. If my rehab goes to plan, I should get there."

Lintjer burst onto the state scene as a sophomore at Grand Haven High School as he easily won the state championship in the 100-yard breaststroke, but was disqualified because of a technicality. He also placed fourth in the 50 freestyle that year and was a member of the Bucs' 200 freestyle relay team that placed second and the 200 medley relay team that finished fourth.

Lintjer placed second in the 100 breaststroke as a junior and a senior, and helped the Bucs' 200 medley relay team win the state title by over two seconds this past winter.