By Joy Kraft
Enquirer staff writer

Olympic rower Kelly Salchow wears a prototype of the Olympic unisuit designed by her sister Raegen. University of Cincinnati/DOTTIE STOVER

When Cincinnatian Kelly Salchow dips into Athens' Olympic waters next month as part of the U.S. women's quadruple sculls team, her sister Raegen's work will be in the boat with her.

Raegen designed the unisuits for the men's and women's U.S. rowing teams, as well as for the Canadian and Australian crews.

The University of Cincinnati Design, Architecture, Art and Planning grad is 28 and part of Nike's All Conditions Gear division where she designs hiking, running, snowboarding and outdoor clothes.

As an Olympic sponsor, Nike tapped her about 18 months ago - knowing of her interest in her sister's sport - to whip up the red-white-and-blue second skins along with a special design team of about 30.

Raegen started with athlete interviews and came up with an order for something "super lightweight, breathable, aerodynamic and comfortable" and a suit that would look good to the thousands of spectators.

"It seems like a lot of technical consideration has gone into bobsledding and aerodynamic sport uniforms," says Kelly, 30, also a UC grad, in graphic design; she just got her master's from the Rhode Island School of Design.

"But I don't think a lot of thought has gone into Olympic rowing uniforms until Raegen started thinking about it."

Raegen knew from her own brief rowing days that she was dealing with a different body structure - very broad back and lat muscles, strong legs with big thigh muscles.

"The fit is the critical issue," she says. "It has to be comfortable.

"Nike has the advantage of a large library of advanced fabrics and technologies to choose from."

She used a smooth-face, quick-dry wicking fabric and shifted the seams forward (because rowers move backward), flattening them to reduce drag, using a new non-sewn, heat applied hem that reduces abrasion and keeps the suit snug.

The result, after countless concept sketches, technical illustrations, fittings and prototype trials, is a thigh-high suit with a slightly scooped neck, swirling mesh insets and lettering along the sides "where the cameras will see it best," says Kelly.

"It's so well-designed," she continues. "I think it will help us when it comes to racing.

"It's a unique situation that she can have a hand in the performance of the USA team."

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," says Raegen, who plans to be in Athens to see her suits in action, cheering with their parents, who live in Clifton.

E-mail jkraft@enquirer.com