Swimming: Swimsuit company set for FINA showdown over ban

New Zealand swimsuit manufacturers blueseventy are still to receive an acceptable explanation from FINA as to why their racing suit has been banned, so are preparing for a showdown with swimming's governing body in Lausanne.

Chief executive Steve Nicolls is hoping for more details why FINA have rejected their racing suit before the June 18 meeting but, despite several emails and calls to the body, has received only partial explanation.

Racing suits have come under intense scrutiny in the past year in the wake of several smashed world records.

FINA believe many suits worn by the world's top swimmers contravene buoyancy and permeability regulations. The more buoyant the suits, the higher the swimmers' hips sit in the water and the faster they can go.

"Our suits have passed the thickness and buoyancy tests. We measured a 20 when you have to finish below 100 on the FINA scale so there is no grey area. We're not talking about coming in at 99.5 and leaving it open to doubt," said Nicholls.

Blueseventy, a small New Zealand company that specialised in triathlon swim suits before moving into the pool a year ago to great effect, have put the matter into the hands of lawyers. Nicolls is scathing of the explanation they have received so far.

"FINA's line is the commission made a decision based on a 'general observation' of our suits.

"Where does that leave us? Where does that leave our customers? We submitted 11 different samples and that is what they come back with. I've since been told our suits are very close to passing. Being a small company, this decision has a massive effect on the business."

Nicolls said they were less than a 30th the size of swimwear giants Speedo, who work on a annual revenue of about US$300 million, so did not have the resources for a long and costly battle with the authorities.

Unless FINA has a change of heart, whatever option blueseventy take - whether it be legal or changing the manufacturing of the suit - it will be a costly affair.

"We have got to look after the customers but there is a limit to what we can do.

"They might be wearing a suit that was legal a month ago, is illegal now, and could be legal again by the end of the month.

"We've looked at recall options but it would be extremely difficult with our relatively small resources.

"We're in limbo really."

Blueseventy had a penetration of close to 40 per cent in some countries in the race-suit market.