Without any let-up, the record spree continues at breakneck speed, worldwide and in Canada. As the latest edition of SwimNews Magazine went to print, 16 world records had been bettered, an average of one a week since mid-February. By the time we were printed, it was 18 world records, 15 of them long-course. In the previous four post-Olympic world-championship years, a total of 9 world l/c records fell January to mid-May for all four years put together. In Canada, no less than 50 records (25 m pool) were bettered this winter, a total that formerly would have taken a decade. What's going on? With enhanced suits proliferating and new manufacturers entering the market, FINA has lost control of the situation.
Some order is being attempted in two stages. First, all suits to be used at the World Championships in July have to receive prior approval by FINA as to thickness, flotation, etc. An even more stringent requirement will take effect 1 Jan 2010. Craig Lord has been covering the chaotic situation almost daily on swimnews.com, for which the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) will be honouring him with their ASCA Media Award this fall. It marks the third award for a SwimNews contributor: first Karin Helmstaedt in 1999, then Nick Thierry, your editor, in 2007, and now Craig in 2009.
Nikki Dryden covered Canadian Spring Nationals. The anticipated world record by Annamay Pierse was certainly the highlight, with Brent Hayden’s multiple record swims in freestyle close behind, earning both the cover. Jeff Grace gives the background on the preparations for the world record. Nikki also describes the great job Kevin Thorburn is doing at Etobicoke Swimming with a young age-group team, including Amanda Reason, 15, winner of the National 50 breaststroke, and multiple freestyle medal winner Hasaan Abdel-Khalik, 17.
Craig Lord was at the British World Trials in March where Joanne Jackson bettered the 400 free world record. He compares the GBR result with the Australian Trials, and with the "Adlington" effect in full swing, the Brits are catching up.
Cecil Colwin spoke with Peter Daland, who remembers his 65 years of coaching some of the greatest swimmers and what he learned from the different personalities along the way.
Behind Britta Steffen's Olympic gold was famed Berlin-based psychologist Friederike Janofske. She also worked with another German great, Franziska van Almsick. This little-known collaboration is explained by Karin Helmstaedt.
Coverage of the men's NCAAs includes an ailing Richard Quick winning his eighth team title for Auburn. Adam Sioui, a 2002 NCAA winner, describes the changes in most events resulting from allowing performance-enhancing suits for the first time.
UBC won the men's CIS team title while Calgary dominated the women's, with Katy Murdoch bettering the 100 and 200 backstroke national records. Adam Sioui, a former training partner of Murdoch, tells her story.
We feature the University of Calgary Swim Club, with is 11 Olympic medals including Mark Tewsbury's gold in 1992. Lauren Beard writes about the club, and Jeff Grace about the varsity program.
The Michael Phelps and coach Bowman partnership enters a new phase as they jointly bought their original club, North Baltimore AC. Justin Finney visited and gives Bowman’s plans for the future.
We mourn the death of Ted Reynolds. For 35 years, he was the voice of Canadian aquatics on CBC television. Byron Macdonald, who did colour commentary with Reynolds, tells of his experience.
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