Perception is that male distance swimmers peak in their early 20s. (women, it's usually in their late teens) Hackett's fastest swims were when he was 21-22. He's been plagued by illness in the last couple years and hasn't been close to his 14:34 in a while.

Jensen was 18 in Athens, still a relative kid for his event and sport. The idea is that if he keeps the work up over the next couple of years, he should be under 14:40 and could challenge Hackett's record, which seemed to be one of those records that would be there for a good long time when he set it in 2001.

Hackett's looking to also be strongly challenged by England's David Davies (age 19, 14:45 in Athens) and Russian Yuri Prilikov (age 20, 14:52 in Athens). Will Hackett regain his magic form of 2001 next year? He just might have to in order to keep ahead of the young wolves- Jensen, Davies, and Prilikov who have all in the past years have looked like they've still got room to improve and knock the king off his throne.

Between here and Beijing, there should be some great men's distance racing on the world stage.

Hackett's win didn't look very easy to me. He won by 2 seconds in a 1500. Plus, he is 24. He will be 28 at Bejing. Larsen is 19 and will be 22 at Bejing. Anyway, it is not just about Larsen. Prilukov and Davies are both about Larsen's age. They will be pushing him internationally and could well break records themselves and there are a few other Americans who I don't see as likely to challenge for international medals or records but who could and who will definitely push Larsen at home, especially Vendt and maybe Mortimer both of whom he knows well and sees a lot.

Hackett is a great distance swimmer but nobody can be great forever. If Hackett's best days aren't behind him now, they will be come Bejing. I think the record will fall before Bejing and after Bejing, it will be mid-14:20s. There will be 3 guys under 14:30 at Bejing and none of them will be named Hackett. You heard it here first.

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Anyone who tells you they're as fast now as they were when they were 18...
sure wasn't very fast when they were 18.

hmmmm......

The two beat kick, as opposed to the 6 beat is only significant in that his turnover is higher. At that level of swimming, - there is more propulsion from the kick than what distance swimmers used to do. Olympians are swimming faster with a higher turnover: ie. sprinting more. However, - the kick in this case is primarily used NOT FOR PROPULSION but to facilitate efficient swimming technique, - rolling.

I find it amusing that many people equate the recovery phase, - the rest, - of one's stroke with good or bad technique. What happens in the recovery phase is trivial compared to what happens under water. What, and how someone kicks is relatively trivial compared to what they are doing their hands/arms under the water. If you look at Ian Thorpe's stroke, he has an incredibly relaxed and slow recovery, - a testament to his ability to get a good hand lock on the water and push on that lock point in the water with a great deal of strength. If you notice as well, - he gets a tremendous push off the wall on his turns with a very streamline position following: again, - a nice place to rest.

The fact that Jensen was able to kick a 4:58 only goes to show that he is fit and the wasted energy of intense kicking does not tire him out.

Kicking, - is nearly useless for triathletes. I think that it's hilarious that ANYONE would call ANY Olympic swimmer lazy!!! The "rest" part of the stroke is critical maintain one's endurance if not speed throughout the race.

Dave Wharton (former WR holder in the 400IM?) once did a 16,000m IM (long course). Yes, 4000m fly, 4000m back, 4000m breast, 4000m free. He also did a 64K workout swimming two hours on, one off for 24 hours. His coach said he would have swum through the wall if you'd asked him to.

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"Go yell at an M&M"

Consider that the record (in England) for a 100mile ride is 3:22:45 (yup, 29.59mph). Tack on another 12 miles and he's under 3:50.

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"Go yell at an M&M"

Was that on a normal (IM legal) bike? No farings or other serious wind-deflection aids that would be illegal? If so, then drop the time some more...

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"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

From their rules:

f Disc wheels or spoked wheels fitted with covers may be used only on the rear of a machine.
g Deep section rims, tri-spoke and wheels of a similar design may be used. The front wheel must have at least 45% of the surface area open.
h The use of recumbent machines, protective shields, windbreaks or other means of reducing air resistance is prohibited.
N.B. The “tuck” position is banned because the National Committee believes that its widespread use will not be in the interests of the safety of riders and the welfare of the sport.



http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/...CTTRegs&RegNo=14

One of the more interesting records you can find on their site is that of one B. Burton, who did 100 miles in 3:55:05 (over 25mph) in 1968. That'd be without aerobars, I think.

Oh, the B. in B. Burton stands for Beryl. As in "she".

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"Go yell at an M&M"

I've heard most of the English courses were one-way, with negative elevation gain..

You heard wrong:

The straight line distance between start and finish of a course must not exceed the following: 10 & 15 mile courses: 1 mile 25, 30 & 50 mile courses: 2 miles 100 mile courses: 5 miles 12 & 24 hour courses: 25 miles a In fixed distance events lengths of road may be covered up to four times.

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"Go yell at an M&M"

would love to see mid 20s next year

This thread is 19’years old, FYI.

But it was a good one : )

Sure was. Some of the earlier threads are full of gems