Funny, Swim Nut Zeke via simma.nu/no
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Dave Salo the ‘breaststroke whisperer’
Interesting article here on The New York Times, about USC Trojan head Dave Salo, coach of top breaststrokers Kosuke Kitajima, Eric Shanteau, Michael Alexandrov, Rebecca Soni and Jessica Hardy. Renowned for his somewhat controversial low-milage, high-quality, technique-driven training regimen.
The breaststrokers who train under Salo catch the water on their pulls in the same place, but that’s where the similarities end. Hardy, who also is expected to contend for an Olympic medal in the 50 freestyle next year in London, has a core of steel to complement her Gumby-like leg flexibility.
Her strengths are not to be confused with those of Soni, who has neither an extraordinary pull nor an extraordinary kick, but her timing when she puts the two together is exquisite. Kitajima has a powerful kick, but his technique is what makes him hard to beat. His body position is so efficient, he skims the surface like a water bug. Shanteau has a powerful kick that compensates for a weaker upper body.
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Lecomte demoing iPhone HUD goggles for his Longest Swim
The geek in me is very intrigued (and hopes this is for real): Atlantic Ocean swimmer Ben Lecomte demoing a Vuzix iWear-like iPhone head-up display device for his Aqua Sphere goggles, with which he will be able to read emails and watch video while swimming across the Pacific Ocean, raising funds toward cancer research in honor of his father. There is a waterproofing challenge to be met … may I suggest the NeverWetâ„¢ spray?
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Scottish Swimming TEAM Brand Launch
Nice video here promoting the new Scottish Swimming TEAM brand, consisting of a fluid saltire and lion rampant, to be featured on squad kit as well as a range of supporter’s kit. Swimmers in the video are Eloise Barber, Lucy Ellis, Kathryn Johnstone, Hannah Miley, Craig McNally, Andrew Mullen, Dougie Scott, Jak Scott, Robbie Renwick and Lewis Smith.
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Team GB girls model for charity ahead of 2012 Olympics
In between training for London 2012, female members of team GB including synchronised swimmer Jenna Randall have taken time out to pose for the Nichole de Carle London 2012 charity calendar, celebrating the London 2012 Olympic Games with all profits going to Wellbeing of Women. Bless their hearts, go buy that calendar here on nicholedecarle.com!Via MailOnline and Mirror
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Gyurta and Verrasztó (and coach) in fight over ex-girlfriend
Via Pestiside.hu, see also mosaictv.huHungarian swimmers Gergely Gyurta and Dávid Verrasztó have been ordered to appear at a disciplinary committee meeting after the two got in a fight after Gyurta sent a congratulatory text to Verrasztó’s former girlfriend Sára Joó, who is also a swimmer. All three were at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Poland, where Verrasztó apparently got so worked up he managed to punch a trainer in the nose (which the trainer now denies) before security managed to stop him. Guess someone’s isn’t exactly over his ex-girlfriend. [sporthirado.hu/hvg.hu]
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Pellegrini disappointed of her Szczecin form, blames coach Bonifacenti
Wow, Italy’s star swimmer Federica Pellegrini has certainly taken off her gloves here on her blog, blaming now former coach Federico Bonifacenti (who according to other news dumped her) for her poor form at the Szczecin 2011 Europan Short Course Championships. And boyfriend Magnini agrees, that “I think it’s offensive both for me and for her that all a coach can think is that an athlete like Federica, in an Olympic year, just wants to train with her boyfriend and not even in the best circumstances – it’s absurd.” -
FINA committee member Flavio Bomio arrested for child molestation
Switzerland’s swimming community is in a state of shock after the now ex-president of Bellinzona swimming club, Honorary Secretary of FINA’s Technical Open Water Swimming Committee, Chairman of LEN’s Technical Open Water Committee, Honorary Member of the Swiss Swimming Federation and Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Flavio A. Bomio (69), partially admitted to allegations of child abuse spanning more than 30 years. Jailed in Ticino since Friday December 16th, the now former coach of notable swimmers like FlaviaRigamonti is believed to have abused at least 20 minors, whereof he during a ten-hour police interrogation session admitted to having had homosexual relationships with boys aged 12 to 16 years, defending himself that the intercourse always took place without violence. Police began investigating after one of his now adult alleged victims reported the matter last month, it is believed that most of the sexual encounters took place at training camps. Read for instance The Local, Blick and Ticino News -
Ashrita Furman is The Record Breaker
Ashrita Furman a.k.a. “Mr. Versatility” has set close to 400 world records now over the last 32 years, beginning with 27,000 jumping jacks in 1979, and including stuff like walking 32.9 miles in 1989 with a milk bottle on his head, balancing 57 glasses on his chin in 1996, sack racing 10 kilometers in 1 hour 22 minutes and 2 seconds in 2001, throwing a water balloon 74 feet 5 inches in 2007, and duct taping a person to a wall in 29.97 this September 2011. At the moment he holds 134 world records, in itself the official record for “the most records held at the same time by an individual”.