Size does make a difference here (some women can race with just a sports top, some can race with a supported sports top, some have to have another sports bra underneath whatever top is worn - for comparisons sake, I'm in the third catergory), but as someone who has tried a few options and wanted support, coverage, and to not look like an idiot when getting out of the water (when no wetsuit is worn), my favorite option is the Moving Comfort Fiona Bra - http://www.movingcomfort.com/dyn_prod.php?p=350003&k=120385. It looks kind of like a sporty bikini top and you can wear it as a top in the water and pull a tri (or other sports) top on over it when in transition (although, as anyone who has tried to put dry clothes on a wet body will tell you, this is not a quick, easy task - but if you're not concerned about an extra 20-30 seconds in transition, it works well). OR, you can wear it under any top in the water and then not have to worry about changing for the rest of the race (but will likely face more drag in the water with a full top on). Anyway, this bra looks nice, comes in pretty colors, adjusts well, and dries really fast - also, the velcro doesn't get worn down  and the material holds up nicely (I wore these bras for 2 Ironmans and many, many long practices). You can find these at Potomac River Running.
 
Just my .02!

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To: friends_of_teamlunachix_dc@yahoogroups.com
From: lowe.toby@...
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:13:03 -0500
Subject: Re: [friends_of_teamlunachix_dc] Tri wear