Speedo unveils FASTSKIN3

Speedo has secured full FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) approval for a world first concept to revolutionise the sport of swimming – a cap, goggle and suit engineered to work together as one revolutionary Racing System - offering swimmers a cohesive, hydrodynamic solution to cut through the water with maximum efficiency.

Unveiled during an exclusive global launch event, the Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System offers unrivalled benefits to swimmers, including a full body passive drag reduction of up to 16.6%, an 11% improvement in the swimmer’s oxygen economy enabling them to swim stronger for longer, and a 5.2% reduction in body active drag, to create the world’s fastest cap, goggle and suit ever.

With a distinctive and futuristic design that considers both the physiology and psychology of the elite swimmer, the Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System enhances hydrodynamic efficiency and comfort, while improving the athlete’s focus to perform.

The result is Speedo’s most advanced swimwear and equipment technology since the introduction of new FINA guidelines in January 2010, strengthening Speedo’s world class reputation as one of the most innovative brands in all of sport.

Michael Phelps, regarded as the most accomplished swimmer of all time, has led plaudits for the concept, saying: “Speedo FASTSKIN3 makes me feel completely at one with the water. I feel confident, I feel comfortable and I feel like I am wearing the fastest.”

While suits, caps and goggles are conventionally designed separately, Speedo has designed and engineered all three elements together to generate a unified system that works in synergy, incorporating many world firsts in swimming technology.

The Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System utilises a new anatomical marking system, ‘Fit Point Markers’, at strategic points across the cap, goggles and suit, which indicate how to align the Racing System accurately on the body to achieve optimum fit for the best performance. Intuitive IQ FIT technology maximises swimming comfort while minimising resistance and drag.

The Speedo FASTSKIN3 Cap is the world’s first to feature IQ Fit Cap Profile, designed using accurate 3D head mapping data. Made to fit head and face contours exactly, it delivers optimum comfort, outstanding hydrodynamic performance and ease of use. When combined with the Speedo FASTSKIN3 Super Elite Goggles, full body drag force is reduced by 5.7%.

Swimmers with long hair can also benefit from the exclusive new Speedo Hair Management System, a bonded fabric cap with a non-slip edge that is structured to hold and shape longer hair to fill the gap at the curve of the neck so that it enhances the swimming form and improves hydrodynamics.

Designed utilising accurate 3D global head scanning data, Speedo FASTSKIN3 Super Elite Goggles deliver unparalleled accuracy of fit, leak resistance and comfort and redefine goggle aesthetics and technology. With unique IQFIT seal and strap and Dive Stream outer profile that improves the contours of the swimmer’s head, localised force is reduced by up to 63.4%, minimising the risk of goggle movement during a swim. The goggles also feature a Hydroscopic Lens that offers 180° peripheral vision.

The Speedo FASTSKIN3 Super Elite Swimsuit incorporates an innovative 3D Zoned Compression fabric system throughout, sculpting the swimmer’s body to create the most efficient and hydrodynamic swimming shape in the water, reducing skin friction drag by up to 2.7%. The system incorporates revolutionary Hydro K-Zone 3D fabric which provides high power, graduated compression throughout, helping to achieve the optimum hydrodynamic profile. This is complemented by Pulse-Flex Fabric used on the shoulders and panels, offering high stretch in one direction to couple freedom of movement with powerful compression.

A ‘Body Stability Web’ constant seam framework gives greater stability, improving stroke and enhancing the effectiveness of starts and turns by up to 3%**, while an IQ FIT ‘snap back’ waistband on the male jammer, eliminates the need for drawstrings and ensures a flatter, more efficient profile.

For female suits, Speedo has developed a unique Armhole Entry system making it easier to put on while maintaining the best possible fit and maximum fabric coverage, optimising the suit’s hydrodynamic properties.

Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System has been developed following extensive research and development by Speedo’s own in-house Aqualab facility, working with elite level athletes and coaches, sports scientists, global hydrodynamics experts and optical engineers around the world. Innovative design techniques utilised include the use of the same 3D scanning technology used to generate realistic CGI in Hollywood films.

Speedo has also worked with noted sports psychologists from Loughborough University (UK) in the development of the confidence-inspiring design of the Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System, with practical elements including a blue/grey tint on the lens of the goggle to evoke feelings of calm and focus.

“With Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System I feel like an action hero, ready to take on the world,” said double world record holder Ryan Lochte (USA), while Liesel Jones (AUS), said: “With the Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System you feel like you’ve been propelled into the future.”

David Robinson, Speedo President, said, “Speedo has always been the pioneer of new swimwear technology and innovation, and this reputation is underpinned by the development of the FASTSKIN3 Racing System, another world-first from Speedo that will help swimmers achieve their full performance potential.”

“Speedo is passionate about inspiring people to swim, whether it’s to race, for health and fitness or just to have fun. Speedo puts the swimmer at the centre of everything we do and we dedicate ourselves to creating the best products and experiences for every swimmer”.

The Speedo FASTSKIN3 collection features three levels of technology, each tailored to the needs of swimmers of differing abilities: SUPER ELITE for professional athletes; ELITE for advanced competitors; and PRO for intermediate swimmers.

The Speedo FASTSKIN3 Racing System goes on sale exclusively on Speedo.com on December 1 2011 and will be broadly available elsewhere from January 1 2012.