HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

KURT GROTE AT 185 m OF HIS WINNING 200 m BREASTSTROKE RACE AT THE 1998 GOODWILL GAMES IN NEW YORK

Each frame is .1 seconds apart. Kurt Grote's time was 2:13.39, fifth best in the world for 1998. The swimmer jumped to a substantial early lead and held that for the entire race. The stroke was remarkable because of the emphasis placed on a streamlined stretch-and-glide after each kick.

Notable Features

Some characteristics of Kurt Grote's swim on this occasion are very similar to those evidenced by Mike Barrowman. The emphasis on streamlining, the outward-upward scull, and the driving forward and downward of the torso in time with the kick are such features. As with all top breaststrokers, Kurt Grote has his feet fully turned out before the kick back begins, a feature that will maximize propulsion from the kick.

It might surprise some readers that such a fine time could be achieved in a stroking form that devotes .3 seconds to a glide. The total stroke cycle takes 1.7 seconds, which is an extremely low rate (17-18 strokes per long-course 50 m). One could interpret that as an indication of how important is streamlining in breaststroke.

It will be interesting to see if Kurt Grote continues to race 200 m with a deliberate streamlined glide or whether her reverts to a more continuous stroking cadence.

Kurt Grote

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