Swim suit maker approved for Olympics

NEW ZEALAND: A New Zealand websuit maker has had its swim skin approved for use by the international swimming federation FINA.

The decision means the skin, whuch used a new technical fabric by Yamamoto, can now be used in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The skin, developed by New Zealand-based manufacturer BlueSeventy, has been specially designed to boast a low surface friction, meaning it has less drag than traditional race uniforms.

Havings secured FINA approval the product, dubbed pointzero3, can now been used in competitive swimming events including triathalons, pool and open water swimming.

Blueseventy CEO Tim Moxey said the FINA approval puts the 15-year-old copmpany in a position where it can now challenge the "technical dominance" of industry players such as Australian companies TYR and Speedo.