[PacMasterUpdate] Special Update Pacific Masters Update September 24, 2005

[pacmasterupdate at PacificMasters.org]

There are two items for this update. the first involves LatyCar 
Championships and possible suspension of swimmers who compete there.

The other items involves changes in the Breaststroke rule that was 
adopted by US Masters Swimming at it convention in Greensboro, NC 
last weekend. This rule will be in effect at tomorrows Alan Liu 
Memorial meet in Mountain View.

michael

--------
LATyCAR

To LMSC Chairs, USMS House of Delegate members, and other interested parties;

Please be advised USMS has been notified by Orban Mendoza (President 
of A.S.U.A. /U.A.N.A.) that members who participate in the ALL 
AMERICAS - LatyCar Championships could be subject to suspension for a 
minimum period of one year according to FINA Rule GR.4.5. FINA GR4 
deals with unauthorized relations, the text can be found at 
<http://www.fina.org/rules/GR/rules_gr1.htm#4>www.fina.org/rules/GR/rules_gr1.htm#4 
.

At this time we do not know definitively what actions, if any, will 
be taken by FINA, ASUA or LATyCAR.  Dale Neuburger (USAS President 
and FINA Bureau Vice President), Rob Copeland (USMS President) and 
other USMS leaders continue to lobby for our members to participate 
in this event without adverse impact to their eligibility.  However, 
it is our responsibility to inform our members of possible 
consequences.  If you know of any of Masters athletes who are 
registered for this event, please pass this information on to them. 
Also, inform your athletes that after conversations with the meet 
organizer the event will proceed as planned.

We will continue to work towards finding a compromise solution that 
is in the best interests of USMS and our members.  I will communicate 
any further developments via follow-up emails.


Rob Copeland
President - United States Masters Swimming
======
BREASTSTROKE RULE INTERPRETATION

INTERPRETATION:  The official interpretation for the changes to the 
breaststroke (101.2) is that during, or at the end of the arm 
pull-down of the first stroke after the start and after each turn, a 
single downward butterfly kick is allowed, but not required, followed 
by a breaststroke kick.  During the pull-down, if a downward 
butterfly kick is taken, it must be followed by a breaststroke kick. 
It is not permissible to take only a downward butterfly kick without 
then taking a normal breaststroke kick.  The downward butterfly kick 
is not permissible prior to the arm pull-down.  In addition, there is 
now a requirement for all movements of the legs to be "in the same 
horizontal plane and without alternating movement".  This was 
previously not included in our rules.

BACKSTROKE TOES ABOVE WATER
INTERPRETATION:  The official interpretation for the change to the 
backstroke rules is that the toes are  no longer required to be under 
the surface of the water at the start.  However, the toes are still 
not allowed  to be above the lip of the gutter or curled over the lip 
of the gutter.  The change was made so that when  full-face pads are 
used (pads that extend above the gutter) there is no requirement to 
have the toes under  the water.  From a practical standpoint there is 
no change when using touch pads that hang on the pool  gutter.


NOTE: This interpretation is subject to change based upon further 
consultations with FINA at a meeting scheduled for October. (ED NOTE 
This means that you could be dqed for something that is changed 
later).

There were a couple of minor changes to the backstroke about the turn 
and the finish.

Full text is at http://www.usms.org/admin/conv05/rules-2005-9-22-5.pdf
-- 
michael
Michael W. Moore