A competition where the world stars come together in newly composed teams and where the investments are counted together to score who decides who wins. Much was different when swimming entered a new age with money-laundering ISL.
But one thing was as usual - Sarah Sjöström wins.
The Swede took part in the very first race of the very first race in the Indianapolis short course - and won. Sjöström first put his hand on the tile at the parade distance 100 meters butterfly at the time 55.65, 23 hundredths ahead of the American Kelsi Dahlia.
Big prize moneySjöström was also first in goal at 50 meters free, at 23.58, a full 49 hundredths ahead of Polish Katarzyna Wasick. In between, Sjöström also led his team Energy Standard to victory in the team race 4x100 meters freely.
ISL offers big prize money so the competitions have attracted several international big stars, including sisters Bronte and Cate Campbell, Australia, and Sjöström's butterfly competitor Emma McKeon, Australia.
The Indianapolis competition continues on Sunday. Next weekend the second competition will be decided, when Sjöström and the other stars swim in Naples.