Duel in the pool - Page 6

jimbo · 18-12-2009, 11:22 PM

For goodnesss sake, swimming is not on television very often so enjoy it wile it lasts. Should be on more often to be honest. This system is not good really, USA are too good for Europe. Such a system works in golf, not in swimming. We probably cannot catch up now. That would be a shame.

BTW how many Europeans are there cometing and how many Americans cometing? They should be the same.

NotVeryFast · 18-12-2009, 11:32 PM

I was there today (okay, so strictly speaking it was yesterday now). The atmosphere was fantastic, so much louder than it comes across on TV. The music that you can hear quietly in the background on TV was more like nightclub volume in the flesh!

Apart from the problems with ticket processing leading to huge queues to get in, it was very well organised and ran very smoothly. I thought removing the backstroke flags for races where they weren't needed was a nice touch. James Hickman provided the live commentary at the venue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

This system is not good really, USA are too good for Europe. Such a system works in golf, not in swimming. We probably cannot catch up now. That would be a shame.

If we had a genuine best of Europe team it would be much closer. We need people like the big French guys in the 100 free, Biedermann in the 200 and 400 free, Cseh in the medleys etc.

SplashNblub · 19-12-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotVeryFast

I was there today (okay, so strictly speaking it was yesterday now). The atmosphere was fantastic, so much louder than it comes across on TV. The music that you can hear quietly in the background on TV was more like nightclub volume in the flesh!

Apart from the problems with ticket processing leading to huge queues to get in, it was very well organised and ran very smoothly. I thought removing the backstroke flags for races where they weren't needed was a nice touch. James Hickman provided the live commentary at the venue.

If we had a genuine best of Europe team it would be much closer. We need people like the big French guys in the 100 free, Biedermann in the 200 and 400 free, Cseh in the medleys etc.

Agree all round. It was great fun. Hickman is manically nuts and the man for the job. Sharon good value too even though her décolletage was pretty well strapped down to avoid frightening the viewers. As you say apart from getting in (if you had to queue) it was fantastic. At last we are starting to realise that people want spectacle to entertain them. The Americans understand that you have to compete frequently against as much good opposition as you can find as in their College Meets. I have said for years that we spend too much time training and not enough competing. Or if we do compete it is 'not important'. Some great Bit swims though.

Communications with Mrs Splash at home glued to the televsion (cruel I know) produced an item of interest re the camera work on the starts. I managed to collar a BBC cameraman and he said that because the LZR's particularly were so see though under the lighting (men's starts looking like the root vegetable section in Asda and the women's like a camel chiropodist's waiting room

) they were under instructions to avoid the problem areas as much as possible -hence no usual slow fulll length pan across before the off. Apparently Sharon off screen when interviewing too.

I would add that seeing Mike coming at you full speed doing butterfly is amazing. He also seems to have a unique hand angle on entry that maximises drive right from the start.

saturdaynighter · 19-12-2009, 07:08 AM

great show last night

if you get a choice of ends today, go for the turns end - loads better view

agree on needing more europeans, but they'll get it right in time

Verity · 19-12-2009, 07:16 AM

I agree guys it was great even if my British Gas bashers gave out because of overuse and wasn't Fran Halsall fantastic. You realise how great when both the Amricans she beat swam national records.

Noswimdad · 19-12-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GettingFaster

Blasted thing's not available on iplayer.

Looks like it is now:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode..._Europe_v_USA/

chris_lamb · 19-12-2009, 08:27 AM

Also, based on the BBC1 coverage starting at 13:45 today and the first event not being until 14:30 I am going to guess that there will be highlights of yesterday first.

spartacus · 19-12-2009, 09:09 AM

what on earth was David Davies doing in the 400 free?? he decided to get his excuse in early by saying he had trained 20,000 metres in the last 2 weeks and then turning in a junior level performance and coming last by some 15 seconds! Seems as though he feels he is an automatic choice and indispensable! surely he shouldnt have been there and his place should have gone to a bright and up and coming star. His stroke incidentally is awful!

200 meters in training? nobody heard the USA swimmers making excuses or letting anyone know anything about their training. Adrian Morehouse commented saying that he thought that performance was embarrassing and i tend to agree. When you have the privilege of wearing the GB hat then you should be prepared to perform and give it everything!

Linny · 19-12-2009, 12:15 PM

I was thinking about the relay teams and how the American's wiped the floor with us last night and should do this afternoon too in the men's but it might not be so clear cut in the ladies race.

Anyway, I don't think that this is a likely scenario here because the swimmers are simply not fast enough but if both teams beat the world record and the European's won the race then neither team could claim the world record.

What a great trivia question that would be!

selkie · 19-12-2009, 02:22 PM

Ouch. What was the Thoman DQ? All I can get over here is the Omega results.

chris_lamb · 19-12-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selkie

Ouch. What was the Thoman DQ? All I can get over here is the Omega results.

Going too far under water at the start.

And that's it now - USA win overall.

selkie · 19-12-2009, 02:32 PM

Thanks. I wish the French could have worked out the sponsorship mess, and that Pellegrini and Jackson could have made it for the women's distance events because that would have made for some even better racing.

KatieBun · 19-12-2009, 02:50 PM

Enjoyed that 200fly. Nice one, Rock.

colonelhall · 19-12-2009, 02:55 PM

I think that the BBC team is great. I agree that there are times when Adrian and Andy talk nonsense, but they can be funny. Not everyone watching is an expert. I think that the team does a good job bringing everyone in. I am particularly impressed by the horse lady. Her questions are spot on and although she comes from a completely different event, she seems to have a great understanding of the sport. Note the questions she asked regarding suits and body types.
Regarding David Davies performance in the 400. Wasn't he wearing textile yesterday. Top marks for those who did abandon the shinies. It was good to physically see how much difference they made.

spartacus · 19-12-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonelhall

I think that the BBC team is great. I agree that there are times when Adrian and Andy talk nonsense, but they can be funny. Not everyone watching is an expert. I think that the team does a good job bringing everyone in. I am particularly impressed by the horse lady. Her questions are spot on and although she comes from a completely different event, she seems to have a great understanding of the sport. Note the questions she asked regarding suits and body types.
Regarding David Davies performance in the 400. Wasn't he wearing textile yesterday. Top marks for those who did abandon the shinies. It was good to physically see how much difference they made.

Davies was shocking, textile or not! who is the horse lady?

19-12-2009, 08:27 AM	#82
chris_lamb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 2,633	Also, based on the BBC1 coverage starting at 13:45 today and the first event not being until 14:30 I am going to guess that there will be highlights of yesterday first. __________________ Chris Lambert ASA South East Region Webmaster Hampshire County ASA Webmaster Unless otherwise stated, all opinions are mine and not the views of any one else. They might not even be mine - it's hard to tell.

19-12-2009, 09:09 AM	#83
spartacus Established Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Posts: 177	what on earth was David Davies doing in the 400 free?? he decided to get his excuse in early by saying he had trained 20,000 metres in the last 2 weeks and then turning in a junior level performance and coming last by some 15 seconds! Seems as though he feels he is an automatic choice and indispensable! surely he shouldnt have been there and his place should have gone to a bright and up and coming star. His stroke incidentally is awful! 200 meters in training? nobody heard the USA swimmers making excuses or letting anyone know anything about their training. Adrian Morehouse commented saying that he thought that performance was embarrassing and i tend to agree. When you have the privilege of wearing the GB hat then you should be prepared to perform and give it everything! Last edited by spartacus; 19-12-2009 at 10:34 AM.

19-12-2009, 12:15 PM	#84
Linny Fairy Princess Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fantasy Fairyland Posts: 5,837	I was thinking about the relay teams and how the American's wiped the floor with us last night and should do this afternoon too in the men's but it might not be so clear cut in the ladies race. Anyway, I don't think that this is a likely scenario here because the swimmers are simply not fast enough but if both teams beat the world record and the European's won the race then neither team could claim the world record. What a great trivia question that would be! __________________ I want it all, I want it now and I want it covered in chocolate... ______________________________________ My feet smell of roses!

19-12-2009, 02:22 PM	#85
selkie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: sunny Florida Posts: 1,347	Ouch. What was the Thoman DQ? All I can get over here is the Omega results. __________________ "I reject your reality, and substitute my own."

19-12-2009, 02:32 PM	#87
selkie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: sunny Florida Posts: 1,347	Thanks. I wish the French could have worked out the sponsorship mess, and that Pellegrini and Jackson could have made it for the women's distance events because that would have made for some even better racing. __________________ "I reject your reality, and substitute my own."

18-12-2009, 11:22 PM	#76
jimbo jimbo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wirral Posts: 237	For goodnesss sake, swimming is not on television very often so enjoy it wile it lasts. Should be on more often to be honest. This system is not good really, USA are too good for Europe. Such a system works in golf, not in swimming. We probably cannot catch up now. That would be a shame. BTW how many Europeans are there cometing and how many Americans cometing? They should be the same.

19-12-2009, 07:08 AM	#79
saturdaynighter Established Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 409	great show last night if you get a choice of ends today, go for the turns end - loads better view agree on needing more europeans, but they'll get it right in time

19-12-2009, 07:16 AM	#80
Verity Spineless toothless & can't care less? Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ebchester County Durham Posts: 1,993	I agree guys it was great even if my British Gas bashers gave out because of overuse and wasn't Fran Halsall fantastic. You realise how great when both the Amricans she beat swam national records.

19-12-2009, 02:50 PM	#88
KatieBun Fluffy but dangerous Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 300 yards from Fistral Beach. Posts: 7,583	Enjoyed that 200fly. Nice one, Rock. __________________ 2013 May 27 - Eton 10k June 15 - Dover Champion of Champions (5miles/ 3 miles/ 1mile) July 7 - Big Cornwall Swim - 5k July 27 - Creek Safari Swim - 5.3k August 13 - Solo Windermere August 18 - Big Swim, Cornwall - 3.5 miles 3 woman EC relay -Castaways (with Flying Bean and Matron! ) postponed until end of season or 2014. “Happiness is the light on the water.”

19-12-2009, 02:55 PM	#89
colonelhall Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 455	I think that the BBC team is great. I agree that there are times when Adrian and Andy talk nonsense, but they can be funny. Not everyone watching is an expert. I think that the team does a good job bringing everyone in. I am particularly impressed by the horse lady. Her questions are spot on and although she comes from a completely different event, she seems to have a great understanding of the sport. Note the questions she asked regarding suits and body types. Regarding David Davies performance in the 400. Wasn't he wearing textile yesterday. Top marks for those who did abandon the shinies. It was good to physically see how much difference they made.

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