2019 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE FINALE
- Friday, December 20 – Saturday, December 21, 2019
- 1:00 – 3:00 PM Local Time (U.S. Pacific Time)
- Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino – Las Vegas, NV
- Short Course Meters (SCM) format
- Top 4 qualifying franchises: Energy Standard, London Roar, LA Current, Cali Condors
- Live Stream (ESPN3)
- Day 1 complete results
The atmosphere in the venue for the first ever ISL Grand Finale is something unlike any other swim meet before. It is big, exciting, colorful and loud, similar to an NBA game, not your typical swim meet, and I did my best to capture that energy. SwimSwam’s Jack Spitser was at the first day of competition of the 2019 ISL Grand Finale, and captured the day’s best and most riveting moments.

Chad le Clos (photo: Jack Spitser)

Caeleb Dressel (photo: Jack Spitser)

Cate Campbell (photo: Jack Spitser)

Anton Ipsen (photo: Jack Spitser)

Daiya Seto – world record holder (photo: Jack Spitser)

Chad le Clos (photo: Jack Spitser)

Ella Eastin (photo: Jack Spitser)

Energy Standard (photo: Jack Spitser)

Emma McKeon (photo: Jack Spitser)

Florent Manaudou (photo: Jack Spitser)

Imogen Clark (photo: Jack Spitser)

Hali Flickinger (photo: Jack Spitser)

ISL Trophy – a beauty (photo: Jack Spitser)

Kyle Chalmers – Olympic Champion (photo: Jack Spitser)

Michael Chadwick – what is he hand-signaling? (photo: Jack Spitser)

Ryan Murphy – Olympic Champion (photo: Jack Spitser)

Nic Fink – double breaststroke winner (photo: Jack Spitser)

Michael Phelps chillin’ with Energy Standard (photo: Jack Spitser)

Acrylic Wall Art (photo: Jack Spitser)

Sydney Pickrem – water art master (photo: Jack Spitser)

Meghan Haila – Caeleb’s Fiance (photo: Jack Spitser)

Kelsi Dahlia (photo: Jack Spitser)

Josh Prenot (photo: Jack Spitser)

Florent Manaudou (photo: Jack Spitser)

Caeleb Dressel (photo: Jack Spitser)

Adam Peaty talking to his fans (photo: Jack Spitser)

Caeleb Dressel celebrating Nic Fink‘s 50 breast win (photo: Jack Spitser)

Chad le Clos By the acrylic wall (photo: Jack Spitser)

Florent Manaudou (photo: Jack Spitser)

ISL art (photo: Jack Spitser)

Guilherme Guido post-winning the 50 Backstroke (photo: Jack Spitser)

LA Current getting pumped (photo: Jack Spitser)

Lilly King storming to her undefeated streak (photo: Jack Spitser)

The ISL Pool’s acrylic wall (photo: Jack Spitser)
Lily’s excessive head look up on the start gets her absolutely nothing, and screws up her angle of entry. It would be one thing if she had springs for legs like Dressel.
Hali Flickinger is pumped up. I’ll bet she can do a ton of pullups.
…. So much HDR and over-saturation.
Hi Marmot- thanks for the feedback. While I do adjust the levels slightly, the insane amount of colored lights and displays in the venue create this colorful saturated look naturally. ✌🏼
Wow-Michael Phelps was there? I wonder what he thought about Daiya’s performance and ISL?
Hali lookin like a beasttt💪
looks a bit much, tbh
Very impressive indeed, but makes me wonder about best swimming physique vs crossfit or other sports physique? At what point does muscle mass detract from flexibility, etc? I know this question has come up before re: other athletes. Just a general question. Answer probably depends on specific swimmer and events.
Muscle mass doesn’t reduce flexibility. If an athlete gets too bulked up it can reduce range of motion. What muscle mass will do is to increase body density and therefore increase tendency to sink.
Good job Caeleb! Also, nice world record.