Adidas has unveiled its cutting-edge and what it claims to be the fastest swimsuit ever, the Adizero XVI, by combining intelligent materials and intuitive fit. “Supported by the brand’s leading athletes, Cesar Cielo, Michael Andrew and Allison Schmitt, the Adizero XVI was unveiled at an exclusive event at the Muller’sches Volksbad in Munich,” an Adidas press release stated. Adidas worked with biomechanics, physiologists, fabric and pattern experts, plus a global pool of elite athletes to create the Adizero XVI, enabling swimmers to achieve the maximum speed. “The ground-breaking technology features three advancements; energy optimisation (X-Tra Energy), intelligent materials (X-Tra Flow) and a stroke-specific biometric fit (X-Tra Fit),” the company added. The Adizero XVI works to optimise the swimmer’s energy, focusing it on propelling them through the water faster. The suit’s fabric, innovative bands and compressive fit, work together to support the swimmer’s Kinetic Chain; the body’s series of interlocking joints, where one movement facilitates the next. “The pioneering tape material offers 100 per cent recovery, ensuring the swimmer’s expended energy is returned to optimise subsequent movements, for example, while pushing off the starting block,” it informed. According to Adidas, intelligent material and lightweight construction guarantee enhanced body position in the water. Strategically placed texturing of the fabric, the result of extensive wind tunnel testing, pushes water more smoothly over the swimmer’s body in the right direction so it doesn’t create as much turbulence. “In an industry first, the Adizero XVI offers bespoke design for the unique movements of different swimming strokes,” the company observed. Stroke-specific moderations ensure a precision fit, facilitating athletes’ transition through the water with Adidas bands shaped to support the ‘Insweep’ phase, ensuring free, non-restricted and supportive movement. “Correct body positioning, water flow and a smooth aerodynamic fit all combine to make the difference between a medal on the world’s stage and disappointment,” said Deborah Yeomans, director future at Adidas. “With the Adizero XVI, we have deconstructed the swimsuit status quo and rebuilt it to optimise the natural movement of the human body,” Yeomans too added. Demonstrating the benefits of the Adizero XVI were Adidas elite swimmers like Cesar Cielo, Michael Andrew, Allison Schmitt, Fernanda Gonzalez, Coralie Balmy, Chris Walker-Hebborn and recently signed Kyle Chalmers. “I believe swimming is one of the most physically demanding sports, given that it uses every muscle in the body in a different way” said Olympic Gold medallist Cesar Cielo. “When I put on the Adizero XVI, I can instantly feel that the suit gives me the extra edge,” Cielo also observed.
