Swim News, Masters Swimming: Blueseventy masters swimmers Bob Strand and Laura Val broke more world records at the 2012 Southern Pacific Masters Championships (short course) in California last month. Between them, they broke five world records in three days, all in the blueseventy Nero. Laura continued the winning ways that have made her arguably the top masters swimmer in the world. She took world records in the 50m and 200m Backstroke and 100m butterfly. She raced a total of six events, with the 200m backstroke being a new addition to her programme. She said:
Laura Val, Masters World Record Holder
“Out of my six swims I was really happy with the 100 fly and 200 back. I’m beginning to enjoy the 200 back. The challenge and fun in the event is to try and split the 50’s evenly. I was also happy with my 100 fly. It’s probably my favourite event and I swim it a lot, probably six times in the last two years and this was my best time in this age group, so I was pleased.”
Bob Strand has worked hard to re-establish himself as one of the world’s best swimmers after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer 18 months ago. His performances in California rank him as the fastest ever in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 100m IM in the 65-69 age group. He said:
“I have been very blessed in my masters swim career and have broken a lot of records over the years. The world records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke (that I held) were pretty soft in my estimation so the new records were somewhat expected as my commitment and training has begun to increase. But anytime that you can break a world record you’ve got to be happy, and I am.”
Bob Strand, Masters World Record Holder
Despite being Bob’s first meet in six months, his time of 1:15.84 in the 100m breaststroke would have also won the 60-64, 55-59 and 50-54 age group.
He added: “I was most concerned with just being sharp on the starts, turns and race execution etc. I was most pleased with the IM being a new world record, because the meet was three days long and I was tired before the event, but I was pretty much where I thought I should be time-wise and it was a nice way to close out the weekend.”
For Laura breaking world records appears to run in the family as her son-in-law, who swims for the Las Vegas Masters, Glenn Counts (35-39), won six events in his SCM masters debut and set a new world record in the 100m IM, also in blueseventy!
Laura said: “Bueseventy is, without a doubt, the most comfortable high performance suit I’ve ever worn. In masters you might swim 2, 3 or 4 swims in a short period of time and for such a tight, form-fitting suit, it is amazingly comfortable. I swim better and faster when the suit fits and feels good.”
Blueseventy was established 20 years ago and their love for the sport of swimming led them to create a company immersed in designing, testing, and refining the best swimming products on the planet. Their products have been sought out and worn by Olympic athletes, including Olympic Champion Alistair Brownlee, World Champion swimmers, Ironman Champions and extreme endurance swimmers. They agonize over details that provide these athletes with a competitive advantage that their competition misses. While their products are engineered for world-class athletes, they are also the obvious choice for those with more modest goals. Whether trying to be the fastest in the world or set a personal best, blueseventy makes the ideal products to help you achieve your goals.
I have seen her swim many times at masters meets and she is simply awesome to watch. i don’t know where she gets the time or the dedication but it’s really fun to watch her swim so fast!
Val is so good at any age…
Congrats, Laura and Bob. Miss you guys! Keep kickin’ ass.