Well, love 'em or hate 'em (and no need to say where I stand...), the shiny suit undoubtedly made ripples well beyond the race pool in 2008-09. That fact is recognised by Time Magazine: in its latest editions, it declares the Arena X-Glide as the winner of Suit Wars.
The suit that was banned then was modified then was allowed and then was banned again, along with all other suits that rely on non-textiles to boost performance beyond the natural capacity of the swimmer, currently stands at 41st on Time's "The 50 Best Inventions of 2009". You can have your say by clicking on the magazine's"rate this invention" slider.
There can be no question that the X-Glide, with more world marks and gold medals to its name than any other suit this year was the ultimate winner of suit wars. Not quite sure it was a "breakthrough idea" in the strictest sense, however. That would be truer of the suit of 2008, the Speedo LZR Racer, which cost a fair whack in research and development funds.
Of course, one shiny suit came into being before another kind of shiny suit only because FINA allowed something that it had previously indicated would not be allowed under the spirit of rule SW10.7. That rule now forbids suits that may aid speed, buoyancy or endurance, as of January 1, 2010.
Arena argued from the start of the shiny suit era that non-textiles should not be allowed because of their over-weighty pull on performance. FINA said go away and catch up, which is what the Italian firm did, so efficiently that there was no room for any doubt that the so called "hi-tech" suits were bringing the house down and would have to go lest many should need to be pulled from the rubble.
Many swim suit makers are now ready with their 2010 suits - and those I have had a glimpse of look great and will leave the sport looking modern and cut for purpose. Most suit makers will have soft launches for products that will staill be advertised as "the fastest suit that helps in ways X, Y and Z", even though the rules clearly state that no such things are allowed.
No matter: just don't be too fooled by the literature - but do watch for the truth, which is what Speedo told when it launched the LZR racer in February 2008. It just took a while for FINA and others to listen.
Meanwhile, more good news for arena is that it is extending its base beyond its European home: Rebecca Soni and Eric Shanteau, of Team USA, are now also members of Team Arena while two universities in the States are also on the cusp of signing contracts. They include Auburn, the team that donned the Jaked last year and caused uproar among NCAA rivals who cried "unfair competition". They were right, for while Auburn would doubtless have been strong, they raced with suits that gave them a significant advantage over rivals. The worst of it was, however, that some swimmers and folk on the deck refused to admit to that advantage at the time.
