Day 2 Thoughs from World Champs Trials:Endorsement Contracts? Who needs em!: While I'm not totally shocked to see endorsed athletes straying from their usual suits, its still getting some buzz on deck. Matt Grevers, probably the most well-recognized TYR sponsored athlete, stepped up for the 100 backstroke in an Arena X-Glide. In Matt's defense, everyone here is just trying to make the team, and he clearly thought he might be at some kind of disadvantage without the suit. On the other hand, he was faster last year racing in TYR, so you tell me whats going on. Also in a delirious haze I thought i saw Katie Hoff wearing an x glide and violating her 10 year endorsement contract. The lesson here is to get your boss to have her flight land before 1:30 so you can get some sleep before writing one of these!
Its the swimmers, dumby, not the suit: Seriously. Aaron Piersol is the world's best backstroker in board shorts or Arena. Katie Hoff would be struggling at this meet no matter what she was wearing. Michael Phelps is the world's greatest. Dave Walters has had this breakthrough coming for what seems like forever. The evidence on the pool deck is still firmly on the side that its the swimmer's making the suit. I had my first chance to see the plethora of new suits that have appeared in the states over the last few months, and I honestly can't see a clear advantage over anything we had last summer. Memo to swimmers out there: wear what you feel best in and stop stressing about the suits.
Scheduling: Talked to a coach on deck today who had a swimmer in Serbia. It seems like its a real shame that some swimmers who we would like to have in two weeks in Rome are currently swimming over there. Chad LaTourrette comes immediately to mind, as well as Sean Mahoney. The scheduling of trials concurrent with WUG prevented these swimmers from having a chance to qualify for the world team. I only wish they could have been here to add some depth to Team USA!
Katie Hoff didn't go off brand.
ReplyDeleteBecause I miss someone...
ReplyDeleteEndorsement contracts? Who needs 'em!:
Good question, Chris. For money? Recognition? I don't know. Let me ask Jason Lezak!
Its the swimmers, dumby, not the suit:
Seriously?
Scheduling:
No endorsement contract, no suit, no Jason Lezak at the Worlds! I agree, that's uncool scheduling!
Katie hoff raced the 200 free in some blue suit definitely wasn't a LZR looked like an x glide
ReplyDeleteCheck again. Official photography and video confirm that Hoff wore Speedo.
ReplyDeleteWe have confirmation that I am completely delusional. Had to pick up my boss fromhte airport at 1 am and got 5 hours if sleep. Thanks for keeping me on my toes
ReplyDeleteFYI, D. Walt is a monster
ReplyDeleteI like your hat Chris. Is the Viking's fashion sense rubbing off on you?
ReplyDeleteGreat hat, luckly for you Atlanta gets in the low 30s in the winter. A native of scony and spending 3 years at Minnesota it does not get cold enough for that thing.
ReplyDeleteToo true about what suit you wear, just ask Mr. Peirsol.
I was wondering about that meet as well, does not make sense to send some of your most talented away from a qualifying meet for the biggest meet of the year?
Pleasure to read both Garrett and yourself, brings a sigh of relief at the end of a long day of coaching.
I hope someone who is really bored can go through at least all the finals and record what suit was worn and how each swimmer did compared to their lifetime best. I don't think any conclusions can be drawn without solid analysis of the data.
ReplyDeleteIf their is a scheduling conflict, why can't WUGs be used as a qualifying meet also? Its a shame LaTourette has to forfiet his chance .Not sure why his time in Belgrade shouldnt count
ReplyDeleteI edited the blog to reflect the inanity of my Hoff comment. I'm not letting myself off the hook for that one.
ReplyDelete"Not sure why his time in Belgrade shouldnt count"
ReplyDeleteI agree it sucks that the two meets are on top of each other, but I also believe there should only be one qualifying meet. The idea here is racing. It's the same reason someone could win the B heat of finals in world record time and still be left off the team.
Ah another comment that was me instead of Viking. I logged in but forgot to sign out to comment. I am the one with inane comments on hoff!
ReplyDeleteIt's the swimmer? Really Chris? Does that mean you won't let any of your swimmers wear fast suits at GATech next year if they're still legal?
ReplyDeleteIt means we won't have a lot if drama over what they are wearing and we will never make excuses. We will prepare to kick ass in any suit.
ReplyDeletepeirsol not piersol
ReplyDeletelatourette not latourrette
Anyone who went to WUGs did so knowing that they would not be eligible for Worlds. They certainly had the chance to turn down the WUG spot and try their luck at Trials and chose not to.
ReplyDelete