Bobby Finke on Leon Marchand: “Pretty excited to be able to… kind of race him”

2023 PRO SWIM SERIES – WESTMONT

Bobby Finke had a self-proclaimed “up and down” meet at the Westmont pro swim, getting his hand on the wall first in the 800 and 1500 freestyles while also competing in the 400 free and 400 IM (he finished 6th in this at 4:20.99, just over 13 seconds behind Leon Marchand). In his first season as a pro, Finke is satisfied with where he’s at right now, learning how to go with the flow in many situations, including most recently when the Florida college team was tapering for SEC and NCAA Championships.

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BOBFROMTHEISLAND
1 year ago

Is he already the best-ever American male distance swimmer? If not who’s better than him?

HoosierEli
Reply to  BOBFROMTHEISLAND
1 year ago

You might consider Brian Goodell – back in 1976 he was the Gold Medalist in the 400 and 1500 (no 800 at that time for men). I believe he was the world record holder in both (but I could be mistaken). As has been commented on many times, Goodell was robbed of trying to repeat that feat in 1980…

Max Hardie
Reply to  HoosierEli
1 year ago

In 1980 Goodell would have not beaten Vladimir Salnikov, first sub 15 en 1500.

GTS
Reply to  Max Hardie
1 year ago

You are correct. In the years after Montreal, Goodell was never the same in the 1500. Not even close. Goodell would’ve found a way to win the 400 in Moscow, but definitely not in the 1500. He had regressed in that event.

Andrew
1 year ago

am I missing something? finke is a distance swimmer with almost zero chance of making the worlds/olympic team in the 400 IM. There’s (almost) zero chance he races Marchand in a high-level meet

Mike
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

He almost made the team last year by less than a tenth of a second. He is a huge taper swimmer, of course He isn´t going 4:03 but he can make the team if anyone is off

snailSpace
Reply to  Mike
1 year ago

I don’t think Foster is in any danger, but he could catch Kalisz.

chickenlamp
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Did you listen to the interview? Finke said he enjoyed “racing” Marchand at this Pro Swim. He wasn’t talking about future meets. But I’d say he has a higher than zero chance of making the team in the 400 IM

Last edited 1 year ago by jessmrademacher
Jimmyswim
Reply to  chickenlamp
1 year ago

I think most people don’t listen to these interviews, and the headline is phrased in a way that makes it seem like Finke is talking about being excited to race him in the future

ClubCoach
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Yeah, you’re missing something

Taa
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

We should only allow 4 entries into the 400Im for USA trials. Foster, Kalisz and Litherland and then for Finke we should let him skip the first 350 of the race and let him push off the wall 2.5 seconds behind the others and see how many he catches.

Chris
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

nope you aren’t missing anything. I don’t think Finke will make the team in the 4 IM. Marchand is on an entirely higher level

ClubCoach
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

You do realize that Marchand is French and will not be competing for a spot on the US team right?

Buttafly
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

How is Marchand (from France) being on a higher level related to Finke making a US team?

snailSpace
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

Marchand’s greatness apparently transcends his being french.

Entgegen
Reply to  snailSpace
1 year ago

Marchand is so good at swimming that SwimSwam commenters assume he’s Anerican

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