Ben Proud played a key role in ensuring Energy Standard pipped London Roar at the post to be crowned inaugural International Swim League (ISL) champions.
With the Grand Final taking place in Las Vegas, the event was always set to be a spectacle, but it was the swimming that did the talking as the whole season was decided in the final skins races, which carry a heavy points weighting.
London Roar led for most of day two, but Proud was one of four swimmers who would secure the match for Energy Standard in the skins at the end of proceedings. The skins, swam over 50m Freestyle, saw only four of the eight swimmers in each race return for the second round, with the field then halved again for the final. It was fast and furious, but Proud touched fourth to secure a second swim and a good points haul, helping Energy Standard to the trophy. On day one Proud had also finished fourth in the individual Men’s 50m Freestyle.
James Guy and Adam Peaty were two of the key players for London Roar, with Peaty producing a business like performance to blow away the rest of the field in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke.
Guy meanwhile got his first ISL victory with an impressive swim in the Men’s 400m Freestyle, despite admitting that he lost count at one point during the race, which was taking place in a short-course, 25m format. Holly Hibbott also showed good form to finish second in women’s equivalent and third in the 200m Free, continuing her strong ISL form this season.
Duncan Scott Brit to shine, a busy programme over the two days of action seeing him finish second in the 200m Individual Medley, second in the 400m Individual Medley and third in the 100m Freestyle; that saw him finish the weekend fourth on the Most Valuable Player (MVP) standings for the match, and second on the male list.
After his European Short Course title two weeks ago Max Litchfield was back in action, producing a close third place finish behind James Guy in the 400m Free, after a strong swim for third in the 400m IM earlier in the meet.
Imogen Clark was third in the Women’s 50m Breaststroke on the opening day, with Peaty just edged into second place in the men’s equivalent. Georgia Davies also finished third in the 50m Backstroke on day one.
Full results from the Grand Final can be found here.