Breaking News | World Championships 2000-Munich | OCR - Optical Character Recognition
Dolphin System - aka "Leo Ware" | USMS/National Senior Games Meeting | Challenge Relay at SC Nats
1999 Relay All Americans | Incredible 85+ Relay | 1999 Awards Banquets | Barbara Dunbar to be Honored
The Information Age | Who Did That? | Meet Results | From Chunky to World Champion
The Olympic Training Center | Dixie Zone Top 10 Patches | Jeopardy | New Start Rules
Breaking News
The IX FINA World Masters Swimming championships have been awarded to New Zealand. They will take place in Christchurch during March or April of 2002
World Championships 2000-Munich
by Christa Reinhart (editor of the German Masters newsletter)
The German Masters have just completed their National Championships at the Munich Olympic Pool to test run the facilities and the organization for the World Masters Championships in July. The trial run was successful but left many details to amend. We had the swimming competitions running (only short distances 100m/50m, 200m free and IM) with 1800 swimmers, 4600 individual and 400 relay starts. The electronic timing system proved very efficient, even the lightest touch recording flawlessly. Computer evaluation and results are not perfect yet but there is time to work on this now. There was enough room in the pool hall for the German swimmers but at the World Championships they will only allow the competitors of the day in the pool area. As far a we can tell this World Championships will be gigantic; there have never been so many participants in spite of limiting times (or because of...?). The Olympic Pool is an indoor pool but in the morning the sun shines through the huge glass walls. Backstrokers, bring your dark goggles! Please send your entries soon! The deadline of June 27 is rather late and if every club sends their entries at the last minute, the organization will be pressed and prone to make mistakes.
OCR - Optical Character Recognition
The post office uses OCR to read the address. Be aware that OCR reads the address from the bottom to top. So if you have a swimmer who has both the street address and the PO box listed for the address, the one that they want the mail to go to must be listed second. After a # sign, put a space between it and what follows (i.e. 5130 Butter Creek Lane # 3). OCR cannot read this if there is not a space. OCR also can not understand any other letter than the compass points E, W, N, S when it is next to the street number (i.e. 1513A). There needs to be a hyphen connecting the letter to the number (i.e. 1513-A) or the letter A can be put at the end of the street (i.e. 1513 Main Street # A). OCR and databases don't like commas or periods either, so please try not to use them in names or addresses. (Good information for newsletter editors.)
Dolphin System - aka "Leo Ware"
For registrars: However you type in your data, whether it be UPPER CASE or Proper Case, Leo's program converts it to Proper Case. When typing names that have a capital letter in the middle (i.e. Mac Intosh, Van Der Beken) put a space before the letter to be capitalized so that when the program converts it, that letter will be capitalized. If a space is not placed before it, it will convert that letter to lower case. For those addresses which include directions (i.e. NE, SW, etc.) put a space between the 2 letters so that when the program converts it, both letters will be capitalized.
USMS/National Senior Games Meeting
Newly appointed liaison to the NSG Scott Rabalais met with the vice-president and CEO of the Local Organizing Committee in Baton Rouge. The NSG was elated that USMS had created a liaison position to help build the relationship between the two organizations. The NSG is certainly willing to learn from USMS in running meets and wishes to do all it can to make its meets the very best-run competitions possible.
Over the next several years, the NSG is going to have a slightly different emphasis. While continuing its Senior Games, it wishes to focus as well on the education of Seniors on the benefits of sport, exercise, and a generally healthy lifestyle. Actually, its mission is to "promote healthy lifestyles for seniors through education, fitness and sports." It also realizes the importance of the social aspect of Senior Games.
USMS can help the NSG in three main areas: offering clinic opportunities, providing an officials resource, and expertise in running national competitions. The NSG can assist USMS by ensuring that the Senior competitions are run to a high standard and that results are reported promptly and accurately. Also, there will continue to be many opportunities for USMS to sell its benefits to the Seniors and invite them into our membership.
There were also discussion on the items of awards, age determination, adding other events, improving the time line, and entering bonus events. If you have any suggestions or comments on the National Senior Games, please e-mail Scott.
Challenge Relay at SC Nationals
The USMS Executive Committee has challenge the zones to an 8x25 yard relay. The Executive Committee will adopt Tracy for its TH member. Each zone may enter a relay comprised of LMSC officers and committee chairmen from within the zone. And who do we have for Dixie Zone? So far, Jerry Clark NC has volunteered and so has Randy Nutt from FGC. Lisa is working on GA swimmers. How about the rest of you. Interested?
1999 Relay All Americans
To achieve this honor, these relay swimmers were members of teams that posted the fastest time in a relay event/age group in at least one of the three official courses as listed in the USMS Top Ten tabulation. The list is posted on the official USMS web site. Teams from the Atlanta Rainbow Trout club from Georgia had 8 swimmers listed, the Florida Maverick Masters club from Florida had 10 swimmers listed, the Gold Coast Masters club from Florida Gold Coast had 33 swimmers listed, the North Carolina Masters Swimmers club from NC had 16 swimmers listed, and the St. Pete Masters club from Florida had 14 swimmers listed.
Incredible 85+ Relay
Never before in the history of Masters swimming in the US has there been an 85+ men's relay. The MAVERICK foursome established new limits for the almost 90-year olds with its record achievements, which were the highlights of the Clearwater meet. Dave Malbrough drove from South Bend IN to join his local comrades Art Holden, Frank Starr and Frank Tillotson. They demonstrated that athletic fitness continues well into the 80's and proved to be worthy role models for younger swimmers.
1999 Awards Banquets
Florida Gold Coast held its Annual Awards Banquet in January. It was a huge success with over 90 athletes in attendance. Special thanks to all of those who contributed food and help. Congratulations to Tracie Moll, Marcia Barry, Gail Rice, John Spire, and Gregg Langsett. Their achievements throughout the year are inspiring. Also, congratulations go to the 40 All-Americans and our Service Award winners who were honored.
St. Pete Masters held its annual awards banquet on January 29. It was a great evening, made even more fun and exciting by auctioneer Ray Orlando. $340 was raised for the Munich Fund. Individual and relay All-American awards were presented. Special recognition was given to those who participated in the 24-mile Tampa Bay Swim and those who swam on the 24-Hour Guinness Relays. The 1999 Leadbetter Award was presented to Bruce Day. Bruce not only got most of George's medical bills here dropped, he also was instrumental in urging George to have the by-pass surgery done and raised the money from team members and members of St. Pete Aquatics to pay for the operation.
Barbara Dunbar to be Honored
Barbara Dunbar, 51, of La Jolla, CA has been elected to be enshrined in the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Masters Swimming Category. Since 1977, Barbara has been breaking Masters records and has amassed 90 FINA Masters World records (43 LCM and 47 SCM), 11 FINA Masters Relay World records, 138 National records and has won 39 USMS National Championships. Selection into ISHOF Masters Swimming Category is based on international and national achievements. Candidates must have completed three full age groups of competition before consideration is permitted. The induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, May 11-12, 2000, is open to the public. Please call ISHOF for ticket information at 954-462-6536 or e-mail at tickets@ishof.org. Let's support Barbara in this great honor.
The Information Age
by George Simon
Based on the information placed on the 2000 registration forms, over 77% of our members have e-mail addresses. Our internet web site, www.ncmasters.org, has 4MB of information. The web pages consist of the current and old issues of the Across the Lanes newsletters dating back to 1996. Swim meet descriptions, entry forms and year 2000 registration forms are available both in html and pdf formats. The bylaws of the LMSC and of Raleigh Area Masters, the records of North Carolina swimmers, and the results of several state championships and other swim meets can be found on the web site there. Each North Carolina team has a page that describes its pool and lists contacts and swim practice times. This data is an advertisement to bring in new members to each of your teams. Even team lists of the member's name and registration number can be found on our web site. Stroke and Turn rules are also available. USMS has an excellent web site, www.usms.org, with even more information, including the entire Rules Book, and discussion forums about various facets of Masters Swimming. The information is there, easy to find, fast to download; just point your browser to find out almost everything you need to know about what is happening in North Carolina Masters Swimming. New and updated information is frequently added, with a page to tell What is New on the site to save you time in not reviewing pages you have already read. Happy Swimming and Surfing.
Who Did That?
Gossip from the recent Senior Olympics in Orlando last October: Rumor has it that a certain City of Atlanta swimmer, after walking around for a while in his T-shirt, was prompted by officials to go put on a suit. Seems that's all he had on was his T-shirt -- good candidate for the Fruit of the Loom award! Now figure out who it is!
Meet Results
Dick Brewer requests that if you know of any meet results in your respective LMSC that are posted on-line, could you please send him the URL and basic meet information (meet & date)? Some swimmers have requested a central place to link to meet results, so he has started putting them on the Dixie Zone news page. Thanks for your help.
From Chunky to World Champion
Joe Rhyne's journey from overweight investment counselor to world-record swimmer started five years ago. He and his wife sat down with their sons to announce the coming birth of a third child. They were talking about having the baby when the three-year old pointed to Joe's stomach and said, "When are you going to have the baby, Daddy?"
So Rhyne, a 40-year old former NC State swimmer, decided it was time to trim off a few of the 70 pounds he had gained since 1981. He reached his goal of swimming at a top national level and won four freestyle races at LC Nationals in Minneapolis last summer. He broke the world records in the 200 free, 400 free, and 800 free. His times are not far off the ones he swam 20 years ago in college. He thinks he is a lot stronger now.
The Olympic Training Center
by Karlene Wise, Crawfish Aquatics (excerpts)
I've always been fascinated with the technical aspects of swimming and human performance. When I read about the initial Olympic Training Center high altitude camp in Swim Magazine, I knew it was right up my alley and immediately applied for the second camp. I was notified by e-mail in July that I was one of a dozen swimmers selected. Now I had the long wait until November when the camp was scheduled.
I flew into Colorado Springs the morning before camp started and met three of my fellow campers. We rented a car and visited the Gardens of the Gods, a photographer's delight. Just negotiating slight inclines at the Gardens made us winded and we all worried about swimming at altitude.
At the Training Center, we had our orientation to the Training Center and the camp and got to meet the rest of the campers. It was a diverse group, ranging in age from 29 to 62. The swimmers were from all areas of the country and one camper hailed from Canada. There were several multiple world record holders in the group. The camp also seemed loaded with breaststrokers.
The first order of business was a tour of the complex conducted by Dr. Jim Miller, one of our coaches at camp. Jim coaches Virginia Masters and is also a physician for several national teams. Since he's been to the Training Center numerous times, he was the perfect tour guide. The best description of the Olympic Training Center is AWESOME! All the facilities are state of the art and at the cutting edge of sports physiology, biomechanics, and training. The complex boasts numerous gymnasiums, weight training facilities, a two story shooting facility, a nearby velodrome, a full medical area, a library, haircutting salon and, of course, a gift shop.
My roommate was Beth Scheimann, a superb breaststroker and spring freestyler from South Carolina. We had been roommates at previous competition, so we knew each other well. For all of our testing, analysis and data review, we would be paired. Our first assessment was in the areas of range of motion and flexibility. Detailed analysis would be given at the end of camp.
To say that the accommodations were Spartan would be an understatement. Our dorms formerly were military barracks. Our first workout was challenging to say the least, 4,000 meters long course at altitude. The last 30 minutes of workout was devoted to a stretching routine that became our lifesaver. After workout and stretching, it was time for dinner. Our schedule was so tightly packed each day that we were only given 15 minutes to get showered, dressed and to our next location. After dinner, we had lectures by our four coaches. Only water after 8 PM since we were getting blood drawn first thing the next morning. We finally got back to our room and to bed about 10:30 PM. We were strongly cautioned to drink LOTS of water since the dry air and altitude would really dehydrate us.
Day 2 of camp started bright and early at 6 AM with blood draws. From there it was off to the flume for stroke filming. The flume was the centerpiece for a lot of our analysis and a major source of apprehension for the campers. We were all a bit nervous, yet excited, about the alien experience of a swimming treadmill. Once my turn in the flume arrived, I was amazed by how much it felt like swimming in a regular swimming pool. I had the opportunity to have all four strokes filmed.
After breakfast it was back to the flume for lactate testing. For this test, you swim at increasingly faster speeds for 3 minute intervals until you reach the point of failure. During your 2 minute recovery breaks, blood is drawn from your earlobe and analyzed for lactate levels. Having survived this test, the camp was all downhill. Next, on to the pool for 1-1/2 hour workout and filming of a 200 IM via a camera that tracks down the pool with you.
Day 3 started at the pool with a 6:30 AM workout and dryland stretching. By now I've gotten some excellent critique of my strokes by the coaches and they have made changes to my strokes that feel markedly different and better. Our next assessment was done by Jonty Skinner. This test assessed our center of mass and density. After taking a full breath of air, we swam to the bottom of the pool. After being held level on the bottom, we were released and analyzed as to how we rose and how quickly we reached the surface. Based on this information we were categorized in Zones ranging from 1-6. This information was covered in a recent issue of Swim Magazine. Zone 1 is a floater with a high center of mass, well suited for all events and distances. Zone 6 is essentially a rock who should either take up tennis or at least would do better in shorter events.
During the rest of the day and into the evening, we had lectures from the Training Center's expert staff in the areas of biomechanics, sports psychology, physiology and training techniques. It was a veritable brain overload of information. Interspersed into the day was a weight training session during which we got to try plyometrics and core strengthening with physioballs and medicine balls.
Day four is the final day of camp. This is the day that all the information is tied together, when we are given the results of all of our testing and analysis. After training and breakfast, we rotate from station to station receiving feedback from each of the experts. Coaches Kerry O'Brien and Jim Miller dissect the filmed 200 IM. They picked up flaws by simply slowing or freeze framing the film that was identical to the flaws that the biomechanist picked up with the benefit of computerized, digitized analysis at a later station. Mark Stoker, our flexibility/stretching guru, detailed the limitations in my range of motion and showed specific stretching exercises to correct them. the sports physiologists explained the lactate testing and provided specific training intervals based on the testing to optimize training. My lab work showed some nutrient deficiencies and they suggested supplementation and dietary options for correcting them. Finally, the sports psychologist addressed how to utilize visualization and relaxation techniques to optimize both training and racing performance. It was an eye-opening day. Michael Collins and Scott Rabalais were the other two coaches at the camp. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Dixie Zone Top Ten patches
A supply of brand new Dixie Zone Top Ten Patches is now available. At our Dixie Zone meeting in San Diego, Debbie D. Cavanaugh volunteered to be the "keeper of the patches." Dick Brewer has volunteered to put the Dixie Zone Top Ten Times on our Dixie Zone web site (http://home.att.net/~dixiezone/dp_Top10.htm). Only individual short course yards is online now, but hopefully the rest will be in the near future.
Anyone who has made a Dixie Zone Top Ten time in individual or relay events may purchase one of these patches for $3. Send your $3 check to Debbie D. Cavanaugh - PO Box 14341 - Ft. Lauderdale FL 33302 with your name, address, event (SCY, SCM, LCM), age group, and year and she will send you one of these colorful patches by return mail.
Jeopardy
by Meg Smath, USMS Rule Book Chairman
Those of you who didn't know I was going to be on Jeopardy - surprise! I'm not supposed to reveal the outcome, but I think it's safe to say that I don't think you'll be embarrassed to know me! Everyone should be watching on June 15.
It was a wonderful, though nerve-shattering, experience. The other contestants were all really nice people, and so were all the people associated with Jeopardy, including Alex Trebek (to my surprise). Of course, I don't think Alex will remember me five minutes after we parted company, but he was nice to me on stage (he even teased me a little)!
Two friends from my swim team here in Lexington, Tita and Janice, flew out with me, and two friends who live in California, Mike and Julie, came to the taping. I can't thank them enough for all the support. It meant everything to me to look out into the audience and see their friendly FAMILIAR faces there. I don't think I could've done it alone. I was so scared that my knees literally knocked together the entire time I was playing. On the bright side, I will never again be nervous about speaking before the USMS House of Delegates! That will be a piece of cake compared to having to ring in ahead of my opponents and get the answer right AND remember to phrase it in the form of a question.
I'm looking forward to seeing the show myself because what happened is sort of a blur. I am also anxious to see what I looked like on camera because they put so much makeup on me that I thought surely I must look like that woman on the drew Carey show. You'll be glad to know that I DID manage to get a plug in for USMS. It's hard to explain USMS in about 30 seconds, but I hope people at least now have an idea of what it's about. TUNE IN!
New Start Rules
by Charlie Cockrell
By now, everyone has probably heard about some rule changes in the area of starts that were passed by USA Swimming and USMS at the September convention. A summary of the rule changes appeared in the November/December issue of Swim Magazine. Both rule changes have been used at USS Championship meets since 1998 and this experience has helped to formulate some implementation guidelines for all meets. The following is a summary of some of the guidelines issued by the Virginia Swimming (USS) Officials Committee.
The first change is known as the "whistle command starting procedure."
Under this rule, the starting sequence before each race will run as follows:
The second rule change is the "no recall" false start rule.
Under this rule, if a false start occurs at the starting signal, swimmers are not called back. Instead, everyone will continue to swim the race and the disqualification will be noted upon completion of the heat, just like a stroke or turn infraction. A false start may still be called before the race if a swimmer enters the water before the starting signal is given. As before, in order to disqualify a swimmer for a false start, the Starter and Deck Referee must both agree on the infraction. The Starter may still recall heats for other reasons, such as equipment malfunction, crowd noise, starter error or other factors that indicate an unfair start.
I think this rule offers some great advantages for us since swimmers will rarely be required to return to the blocks and restart the race. However, everyone is now responsible for his or her own start. If you are "drawn off" by an adjacent lane, you could also be disqualified. (I wouldn't want to be the swimmer who false starts at the beginning of a 1650 free and doesn't find out until the end about the DQ!),
Another subtle change in the FINA guidance is that the Referee and Starter should be positioned on the same side of the pool when the new rules are implemented. So, don't be surprised if the starter is in a different place than you expect.
Everyone anticipates that there will be a transition period where both swimmers and officials are learning the new rules. If you miss a heat due to confusion over the new procedures, notify the Referee immediately. Both rules are in effect after January 1, 2000.
(from Virginia Master News Letter, January 2000)