Speedo Fastskin Bodyskin worn by Petria Thomas
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Date2000
Object number00039500
NameSwimsuit
MediumPolyester, elastane
DimensionsOverall: 550 x 230 mm, 0.06 kg
Clothing size: 12
Clothing size: 12
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Petria Thomas
DescriptionThis Speedo Fastskin team suit features panels of navy, yellow and green polyester elastane fabric with dense green flatlocked seams. The Bodyskin's design has a zipper that runs up the center of the back, and the main body of the suit has been textured to form a denticular pattern similar to that of a shark.
Printed in white on the right chest is Speedo's logo and the Southern Cross next to 'AUS'. On the left chest is the Australian coat of arms, together with the five Olympic rings above the text 'Sydney 2000'.HistoryThe Speedo Fastskin was launched in 2000 at Homebush Bay in Sydney. The design was developed by a core research team of scientists, swimmers, a swimming coach, a computer clothing company, a Japanese textile company, a bio mechanist and a shark expert. They found that the unique texture of a shark's skin allows it to move faster through the water.
The Fastskin fabric mimics the rough dermal denticles of shark skin to reduce drag in key areas of the body. The polyester and elastane fabric compresses the body to stop skin vibration and muscle oscillation, with the effect of saving energy and further reducing drag.
The suit aids in connecting muscles through a combination of panels and unique seaming. It follows an anatomic pattern where the seams act like tendons and provide tension in the suit, while the fabric panels act like muscles, stretching and returning to their original shape. Seams are an essential element in minimising drag and optimising performance. As seams play a vital role in allowing fabric to be stretched to maximum tension, which gives complete freedom of movement, the number of stitches is very high.SignificanceThis Australian made suit was worn by Olympian Petria Thomas at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. It is an important example of the technological developments in competitive swimwear made by Speedo during the 1990s.
