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2021 ISL Final: London Missing Toussaint, Dressel Not Entered In 50 Free

2021 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE – SEASON 3, MATCH 18 – LEAGUE FINAL

The London Roar will be without star backstroker Kira Toussaint in the 2021 ISL Final, as the Dutch native is absent from the Day 1 start lists.

Toussaint has been London’s second-highest scorer this season (and 16th in the league overall) with 250.5 points, having won nine individual events (six in the women’s 50 back, three in the 100 back).

Toussaint told SwimSwam that she’s under the weather but tested negative for COVID-19 twice.

The club will now turn to Minna Atherton to provide big backstroke points, as well as give them a chance to win in the women’s 400 medley relay.

Among the swimmers returning, world record holder Benedetta Pilato is back for Energy Standard, giving them a punch in the arm in women’s breaststroke, and Simonas Bilis returns for the club’s men’s team, adding some relay depth.

For Cali’s Caeleb Dressel, he’s entered in the men’s 100 butterfly and not the 50 free, switching around what he swam two weeks ago. Dressel sat out of last weekend’s playoff match to rest for this final, with club general manager Jason Lezak noting that Dressel was dealing with illness.

Dressel’s absence from the 50 free suggests he’s nowhere near 100 percent.

As SwimSwam reported on Thursday, the LA Current will be missing multi-talented sprinter Beryl Gastaldello, who was the third-highest scorer in last year’s final.

Kathleen Baker, who was absent from the Current in last week’s match (and also entered at the US Open) is on the start lists in both the women’s 50 and 200 back, plus both relays.

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CanSwim13
2 years ago

Energy has got this . Seems to be the team that was hurt the least by no shows, injuries and illness

Arthur Ruppin
2 years ago

Helena Gasson is noticeably missing for LA as well. Forcing Gorbenko to swim a fly leg on the relay.

CC2004
Reply to  Arthur Ruppin
2 years ago

Should have swam her on Breast but no Gastadello as well

Uncle_Reco
2 years ago

Freya Anderson in 50 Breast?

Yoo
Reply to  Uncle_Reco
2 years ago

she’s actually gone a low 30s SCM 50 Breast before.

Last edited 2 years ago by Yoo
CC2004
2 years ago

☹️ That’s Londons highest female swimmer gone

Noah
2 years ago

Seems to be Energy’s match to lose.

ISL Spec
2 years ago

Huge blow for London that they have to miss Toussaint. Without the return of Prigoda its an impossible task for the Roars now.

Pullbuoy
Reply to  ISL Spec
2 years ago

I agree – they needed all their big guns and to have them all firing to have a chance and losing a WR holder who has been in great form is a big blow

ISL Spec
Reply to  Pullbuoy
2 years ago

Yes the odds would have been very slim but not impossible. I assume that Energy will take the crown this year with Dressel not swimming as much (on his best).

Tiudbsi
Reply to  ISL Spec
2 years ago

Chalmers would have to break his 100 free Wr and jackpot the whole field for them to have a chance. And even then energy can sweep points in 4 events.

mc2
Reply to  Pullbuoy
2 years ago

Is Kira injured?

Admin
Reply to  mc2
2 years ago

Illness. Has tested negative for COVID twice.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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