US struggling at oval, focus on high-tech suits

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By PAUL NEWBERRY

SOCHI, Russia (AP) - They were touted as the fastest speedskating suits in the world.

Looks like they might be slowing the Americans down.

The new high-tech skinsuits, developed with help from a prominent defense contractor and unveiled just before the Sochi Olympics, were a major topic of debate at Adler Arena during Friday's break in the competition.

Through the first six events, no U.S. skater finished higher than seventh - a stunning downfall given the team's strong results on the World Cup circuit this season. Among those who have faltered: two-time Olympic champion Shani Davis and female stars Heather Richardson and Brittany Bowe.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140214/DABV3GMO0.html

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Shani Davis of the U.S., center, puts on the prototype of the official US Speedskating suit, while coach Ryan Shimabukuro checks his phone prior to a training session at the Adler Arena Skating Center at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The team thought it had a chance to do something special, given some impressive World Cup results this season and new high-tech suits from Under Armour, which got an assist in the design from aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. Now, there's plenty of grumbling that the suits are actually slowing the skaters down in Sochi. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

[msongs]

1. "...prominent defense contractor...". any other questions? nt

[jsr]

3. When you have a weapon, everything looks like a target

[Crowman1979]

2. As always...if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[tanyev]

4. I think I see the problem.

[FSogol]

5. Next time I lose at something, I'll blame my pants.

[1000words]

6. "A poor carpenter blames his tools."

At world-class level competition, any change in performance due to equipment is going to be miniscule. U.S. skaters simply haven't shown up. Given they've admitted to high expectations going into competition, I'm guessing it's mental.

[Common Sense Party]

7. Didn't they test them BEFORE the Olympics?

I'm pretty sure I read an article where athletes were claiming to skate faster in the suits. I don't know if that was the placebo effect, though.

[big_dog]

8. update - Sources: U.S. wants to change suits

Frustrated by their failure so far to win a medal in speedskating, a sport that produced four U.S. medals four years ago, the Americans are likely to change their suits, sources told ESPN.com.

The team would ditch the suits it wore in the first six events in Sochi -- when no American finished among the top five -- and wear earlier versions made by the same manufacturer, Under Armour.

The suits the Americans would use are the same ones they wore at last month's World Cup in Japan. They are different from the newer suits in that they don't have venting in the back or the flow molding meant to give skaters an advantage by helping their bodies better cut through the air. A source said the IOC has approved the older Under Armour suits the U.S. team wants to wear.

It was billed as the greatest racing suit in speedskating history, one that could forever change the sport. Instead, all the U.S. team has won is disappointment. Ted Morris, the executive director of U.S. Speedskating, told ABC News that every member of the team would have to use the old suits. He did not confirm that a final decision had been made by the IOC.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2014/speedskating/story/_/id/10457154/2014-sochi-olympics-us-speedskating-changing-uniforms