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http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/speedo/33295/
The launch of the Team USA Speedo LZR RACER allows the original Comme des Garcons design to be finally revealed as the traditional gray and black silhouette has been updated with the patriotic stars and stripes of the USA flag. The design by visionary founder of Comme des Garcons, Rei Kawakubo, joins the distinctive metallic silver calligraphy that already appears on the suit. The calligraphy, painted by celebrated artist Inoue Yu-ichi, means 'kokoro' representing the heart, spirit and mind.
Rei Kawakubo said, "I was interested in expressing the energy and the power that comes from the spirit, embodied in the meaning of the calligraphy, together with the will to win for one's country, symbolized by the iconic flag of the USA. I am very honored and proud that Team USA will be performing in the pool in Beijing with this strong creative design."
Though the Team USA LZR RACER suit will not officially debut until Beijing, it is being unveiled now in conjunction with the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials beginning June 29th in Omaha, Nebraska. Speedo's Team USA LZR RACER will be individually created for, and exclusively available to, all members of Team USA in Beijing.
"I've been wearing the Speedo LZR RACER suit for the past several months and I've had a lot of success in it," said U.S. Olympic Gold medalist and Speedo sponsored swimmer, Natalie Coughlin. "Not only is this the fastest suit out there but it now has a beautiful, patriotic feel to it which is very cool. I hope I have the opportunity to proudly swim in it in Beijing."
An unprecedented 38 world records have been broken by swimmers wearing the LZR Racer since its launch in February. Speedo harnessed the expertise of NASA and a number of international research institutes to create the suit which has 10% less passive drag* than Speedo's FASTSKIN FSII launched in 2004 and 5% less passive drag* than Speedo's FASTSKIN FS-PRO(R), which was launched in March 2007 and swimmers wearing it broke 21 World Records.
Made from an ultra lightweight, low drag, water repellent, and fast-drying fabric unique to Speedo called LZR PULSE(TM), the LZR RACER suit is the world's first fully bonded competition swimsuit. The suit is ultrasonically welded which gives the effect of no seams at all. Ultra low drag LZR panels are laminated onto the base fabric to create a Hydro Form Compression System helping to compress the entire swimmer's body into a more streamlined shape and enabling them to cut through the water with more power and agility.
"Since 1928, Speedo has been leading the world in swimwear design and technology and our partnership with Comme des Garcons continues that pioneering spirit," said Paula Schneider, President of Speedo USA. "The Speedo LZR RACER suit is the ultimate swimsuit through a combination of cutting edge performance, innovation and design. We're proud to offer Team USA the best in technology and design."
To get in the spirit of swimming, the limited edition Team Speedo USA collection is now available for purchase at www.speedousa.com
SPEEDO(R), FASTSKIN FSII and FASTSKIN FS-PRO is a registered trademark of and used under license from Speedo International Ltd.
LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are trade marks of Speedo International Limited. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.
Warnaco Swimwear, Inc., a division of The Warnaco Group Inc. (NYSE: WRC), is the authorized licensee of the SPEEDO(R) trademark in North America and the Caribbean.
Note to Editors
* Passive drag affects a swimmer in the streamlined position which is achieved after the initial dive and after a turn. During a 50m race, a swimmer is likely to be in the streamlined position for up to 15m. In tests the swimmer is in an immobile streamlined position in a flowing water flume, hence passive.
** In tests comparing Speedo LZR RACER and training swimwear.
1 Skin friction or surface drag is the force that tends to slow a swimmer down by means of the water passing along the surface of the suit and/or skin. As the characteristics of the water can't be changed the solution for the swimmer is to make the suit/skin as smooth as possible. Essentially the rougher the surface the more likely it is to 'grab' onto the water that is moving by. Greater body coverage with low frictional materials that don't restrict movement is required to reduce skin friction drag.
-- The Speedo LZR RACER suit has 10%* less passive drag than Speedo's FASTSKIN FSII launched in 2004 and 5%* less passive drag than FASTSKIN FS-PRO (which has already resulted in 21 world records broken since its launch at the FINA Worlds Championships at Melbourne in March 2007).
-- Strategically placed LZR Panels reduce skin friction drag(1) by a massive 24% in comparison to Speedo's previous market-leading material, FASTSKIN -- and an enormous 38% less drag than ordinary Nylon Lycra.
-- The 100% bonded seams provide 6% less skin friction drag than a conventionally stitched or woven seam.
-- The Speedo LZR RACER makes it easier to swim faster. In tests comparing LZR-RACER and training swimwear, Swimmers have up to 5% more efficiency** in terms of their Oxygen intake -- therefore requiring less effort for a given speed of swimming.
Comme des Garcons
Comme des Garcons is a leading avant-garde fashion label, which was founded in 1969 by Rei Kawakubo in Tokyo. Comme des Garcons has over 80 stores and corners across its 12 different brands, and approximately 350 retailers around the world, with flagship stores in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul and soon to be open St. Petersburg.
About Speedo(R)
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. In the 1920s Speedo(R) made history with the Racerback: the world's first non- wool suit. In 2008 Speedo(R) redefines swimwear again with Fastskin(R) LZR RACER(R) -- the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garcons put Speedo(R) at the cutting edge of design. As the world's leading swimwear brand, Speedo(R) is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps. Speedo(R) is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com . SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.
About Warnaco
The Warnaco Group, Inc., headquartered in New York, is a leading apparel company engaged in the business of designing, sourcing, marketing and selling intimate apparel, menswear, jeanswear, swimwear, men's and women's sportswear and accessories under such owned and licensed brands as Warner's(R), Olga(R), Body Nancy Ganz(R), and Speedo(R), as well as Chaps(R) sportswear and denim, and Calvin Klein(R) men's and women's underwear, men's and women's bridge apparel and accessories, men's and women's jeans and jeans accessories, junior women's and children's jeans and men's and women's swimwear.
SOURCE Speedo(R)
http://www.speedo.com
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