TYR Introduces AP12 Speedsuit

Tyr is not about to let competitor Speedo get all the attention.

Less than a week after its rival introduced the Fastskin3 racing system that its athletes will wear in the 2012 London Olympics, Tyr released its version, the AP12.

The name is short for the Alchemy Project 2012, which is “built in America and engineered in the pursuit of gold,” the Huntington Beach, Calif.-based company said.

The speed suit, which employs advanced hydrodynamic technology, has been approved by FINA, the governing body of the sport.

The AP12 uses compression and construction to reduce drag in the water, make the muscles fire faster, increase blood flow and engage the core, Tyr said.

The suit will be worn by reigning world champions Camille Lacourt of France and Jeanette Ottesen of Denmark, along with World Short Course medalists Markus and Steffen Deibler of Germany. Tyr’s U.S. team will include Matt Grevers, a two-time medalist in Beijing, along with Ariana Kukors, Ricky Berens, Megan Jendrick, Amanda Weir, Nick Thoman and Josh Schneider.

“Like most swimmers, I want to go fast. Anything that can help me go faster I’ve learned to love and appreciate, and I really appreciate the new Tyr AP12 speed suit. More speed and less pain is the name of the game,” said Grevers.

The suits are available for preorder now with delivery in January. They retail for $320 for the women’s model and $240 or $260 for the men’s model.

TYR Launches FINA-Approved American-Made Speedsuit

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, December 6. BUILT in America and engineered in the pursuit of gold, TYR’s new Alchemy Project 2012 speedsuit series redefines the physics of fast. Going far beyond what was previously thought possible, the TYR R&D team utilized the most advanced hydrodynamic technology in developing the FINA approved AP12. Turbo compression fabric, anatomically engineered fit, and bonded four-way lock seams combine to create a ruthless force in the water.

Sleek and explosive, the AP12 uses compression and construction to optimize body position and reduce form drag in the water. Muscles will fire faster, blood flow will be increased, and the core will be engaged. Representing a whole new level of performance, the AP12 sets a new benchmark in speed with its state of the art design.

Racing in the new AP12 speedsuit series will be TYR’s elite team of athletes, which includes World Record Holders and Olympic Medalists. International athletes include reigning world champions Camille Lacourt (France) and Jeanette Ottesen (Denmark), and World Short Course Medalists Markus and Steffen Deibler (Germany). TYR’s team of U.S. athletes led by Matt Grevers (2008 Beijing Gold & Silver Medalist), Ariana Kukors (Current World Record Holder and Former World Champion), Ricky Berens (2008 Beijing Gold Medalist), Megan Jendrick (2000 Sydney Gold Medalist & 2008 Beijing Silver Medalist), Amanda Weir (2004 Athens Silver Medalist), Nick Thoman (World Record Holder), and Josh Schneider (American Record Holder) will also look to dominate in the AP12 this race season.

2011 World Champion in the 100m backstroke Camille Lacourt touted AP12′s performance qualities saying:”The AP12 is the first technical suit that I have contributed to by working with the product developers at TYR. The result is stunning! Using the latest technological innovations and adapting them to the extreme demands of competitive swimmers, TYR has made the lightest, most compressive speedsuit. Given the importance of 2012, I know I have the best equipment to face my competitors.”

Made of a lightweight, hydrophobic micro-filament textile, AP12′s turbo compression fabric provides enhanced stretch and memory retention. Specialized seams combine with sleek designs to optimize body position and reduce drag. Four new race styles (all offered in a new unique Black/Gold engineered print) increase surface area coverage to enhance speed.

“Like most swimmers I want to go fast! Anything that can help me go faster I’ve learned to love and appreciate, and I really appreciate the new TYR AP12 speedsuit! More speed and less pain is the name of the game!” said two-time Beijing Medalist Matt Grevers.

The AP12′s hydrodynamic three-panel design is constructed to maximize compression. The combination of bonded seams on the inside and four-way lock seams on the outside creates the lowest possible profile and enhances the durability of the speedsuit.

“The AP12 Compression High Back is a genius competitive advantage. In a sport that is won or lost by fractions of a second, the super fast AP12 will give me the edge I need this race season,” said Ariana Kukors, current World Record Holder in the 200m IM.

Uncompromisingly superior and unmistakably TYR, the AP12 speedsuit series will be available for pre-order December 6th, with widespread availability in January 2012. For more information on AP12, please visit tyr.com/ap12.