SJOSTROM IS FIRST MVP OF THE NEW ISL

INDIANAPOLIS - Winner of the first race on saturday, winner of the first race on sunday, winner of the skins race – and MVP of the very first meet of the International Swimming League (ISL). Sarah Sjöström did it all. “I was just taking it one race at a time, trying to get as much points for my team as possible”, the captain of Energy Standard said.

The worlds best swimmers, including 41 gold medalist from the Olympic Games 2016, are competing on behalf of eight clubs in regular season matches across Europe and the United States, with the seasons final being held in Las Vegas in December. More than four million US Dollars in appearance money and prize money for clubs and athletes will be awarded during the season, making the ISL the first professional league in the history of swimming.

„I was so nervous to start the competition of“, the swedish world record holder said about her historic wins. “This was so much fun”, Sjöström added asked about the innovative make-up of the league, which emphasizes on being a team event. There are team boxes on the side of the pool, the swimmers wear distinctive clothing, specially colored caps and designated lanes with teammates next to each other make it easy to follow a specific team in a fast and entertaining two hours with back-to-back racing.

The highlight performance of the weekend was delivered by freestyle superstar Katie Ledecky in the 400 m freestyle. The five-time Olympic Champion missed the short course world record of Ariarne Titmus by only 0.08 seconds, touching the wall at 3:54.06 min – and not even knowing what she had just done. “I really did not know this was a fast time until someone told me it was an american record and that it was so close to the world record”, the DC Trident swimmer said. "I felt really good in training. I have had the best september I have ever had."

Another highlight for swimmers and fans alike: The skins races in the 50 m freestyle. A series of back-to-back races on a knockout basis, with the two remaining swimmers racing each other in a head-to-head final, all the while heavily cheered on by their teammates. And it was again Sjöström (25.11 seconds) who took the first win ahead of Energy Standard teammate Femke Heemskerk (25.42). 

“I did a lot of skin races before, but on long course. I expected it to be a little bit easier on short course, but it was actually much harder”, Sjöström said. “It was a rough race for me. But I think it was very exciting for everyone watching it", she added with a smile. 

The mens skins also was an Energy Standard only event, with Olympic Champion Florent Manaudou (22.97) finishing ahead of Ben Proud (24.38). “It was so hard, but it was a lot of fun. I never smiled after a race like I did today”, Manaudou said.

These wins gave Energy Standard a comfortable lead ahead of the Cali Condors before heading to Naples for the second leg of the ISL season on october 12th and 13th . Energy Standard is taking 521 point to Italy, leading with almost 100 point over runner up Cali Condors (425 points), followed by DC Trident (316.5) and Aqua Centurions (290.5). But it was the performance of MVP Sjöström, with winning 55.5 point for her team, which really put Energy standard ahead.

ISL kick-off Indianapolis – The quotes: “This is the beginning of something special”

Olympic Champion Olympic Champion Sarah Sjöström (Energy Standard Team Captain and MVP) after winning the first ever ISL race: „I was so nervous to start the competition of. I have been waiting for this to happen and I am really happy that it happens during my active years. This is how it should be. Look at all the other sports. You see Serena Williams competing all the time. You see her on tv many weekends in a row, but you don't see the pro swimmers so much. We only turn up on tv once, maybe twice a year. I think people have been waiting for that to see the strong swimmers more often on tv.”

Olympic Champion Chad le Clos (Energy Standard Team Captain): “It was amazing. From the time we landed we felt the energy. For the world of swimming it is the beginning of something special. I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Two-time Olympic Champion Lilly King (Cali Condors): „This is really like my kind of meet. Everybody is all hyped up, I had a ton of fun swimming and cheering for my team. I am cheering for people I haven't really cheered for before. I think this is the future of swimming, it is making it more exciting, making it more accessible to the viewer, and it is making the athlete lot more money. Only positives are coming from this for me.“

Five-time Olympic Champion Katie Ledecky (DC Trident): „This is unlike any any other meet. This is great for swimming and it is only gonna make swimming better for all of us in the years to come - and beyond. I think today was kind of a turning point. I think the ISL is gonna continue to improve and I think they are going to push FINA and other organizations to really create the best environment for athletes to compete at the highest level and get that racing experience. The ISL emphasizes gender equality – on every level. That is something that sets us apart from other sports. I really wanted to be there for the start. I am really excited to be a part of history. I really did not know this was a good time until someone told me it was an american record and it was so close to the world record in the 400 free.“

Olympic Champion Federica Pellegrini (Team captain Aqua Centurions, the home team of the upcomin ISL meet in Naples on october 12th and 13th): “I am very proud to be the captain of this team. Everything looks amazing. The lights, the team presentation, it is a very good atmosphere. I am really excited to take this to Naples. The people in Italy love swimming."

Fabio Scozzoli (Aqua Centurions): “The show was spectacular. The short races were fun and interesting. The main focus of the ISL is to make swimming more spectacular, and ISL has done that.”

Five-time Commonwealth Games Champion Mitch Larkin (Team Captain Cali Condors): “There were a lot of expectations on this meet and it certainly delivered. As soon as we arrived the team spirit and the enthusiasm was right up there, a great deal of comradery amongst the teams. The racing was fantastic and the show was just as amazing. Atmospheres like that, with the lights and a DJ on deck, are pretty rare, even at home in Australia. Every opportunity you get to race against the best in the world is a fantastic opportunity.”

Olympic Champion Florent Manaudou (Energy Standard): “It was just amazing to race with a team. Competing for the ISL played a big part in my decision to come back after retiring after Rio 2016. In Europe we have a lot of the same competitions, every time its: swim, medal ceremony, swim, medal ceremony. This is much better for everybody.”

James Gibson (Head coach Energy Standard): “We have swimmers that train 30, 40 hours a week. And they deserve a platform to showcase their talent. And that is what ISL gives us.”

Jason Lezak (General Manager Cali Condors): “I feel like this is something that is gonna catch the eye of people that weren't just swim fans but the every day viewer.”