Tyr Sport Inc

The battle between high-tech swimsuit manufacturers TYR and Speedo has escalated in a significant way, moving from the pool deck to the legal arena. Huntington Beach's TYR Sport Inc. upped the stakes by filing suit on Monday in federal court against Warnaco Swimwear Inc., parent company of Speedo and producer of the news-making LZR Racer swimsuit. TYR did not specify the damages it was seeking but did estimate that the long-term loss to the value of its brand could reach $500,000.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- One day after learning about a lawsuit filed in federal court by TYR Sport against Speedo that names Olympic swimmer Erik Vendt as a defendant, Vendt's agent fired back, saying his management firm would no longer work with the Huntington Beach company. Evan Morgenstein of Premier Management Group said in an e-mail Thursday night that the "unfair treatment" of Vendt prompted his decision. Existing contracts would be fulfilled, he added.

OMAHA -- Both sides were proclaiming, if not victory, a strong measure of satisfaction and engaged in verbal shots at the U.S. Olympic swim trials. Never mind that the meet doesn't actually start until this morning at the Qwest Center. USA Swimming's head coach, Mark Schubert, took jabs at TYR Sport, which is suing him, USA Swimming, Warnaco Swimwear Inc. -- the parent company of Speedo -- and swimmer Erik Vendt in connection with the LZR Racer swimsuit.