The first day of the TYR Pro Series 2024 in Knoxville whistled the start of the tantamount long-distance swimming events. The Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center felt a commotion as Katie Ledecky was bound to appear in her most gilded event, 1500m free. However, on the same line, Bobby Finke was there to pose his better chance among the swimmers from the reputed University programs. The 24-year-old swimmer saved the day by claiming the gold in 1500 m free in the men’s category. However, Felix Auboeck had a 10-second gap with the guy that day. 

After that, the TYR Pro Series 2024 encountered Auboeck’s rise to the occasion two times. But the Austrian swimmer waited to take an Olympic revenge on the penultimate day. 

The TYR Pro Series 2024 ended on an avenging note

On day 4 of the TYR Pro Series 2024, Felix Auboeck faced Bobby Finke as his competitor in the 800 LC m free event in the men’s category. The American swimmer already had his gold in the event of the last encounter where he faced Felix Auboeck in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

At that moment, Auboeck had to stay satisfied with the 7th place. However, this time in Knoxville, the Austrian swimmer avenged his title miss in the Olympics.

Just after the meet, SwimSwam Live posted the final standing of the 800m free event on X, which read, “Knoxville Men’s 800 Freestyle Podium: Felix Auboeck (AUT) — 7:51.96 Lucas Henveaux (CAL) — 7:55.64  Bobby Finke (SPA) — 7:55.85”

Lucas Henveaux claimed the Belgian record as well, in claiming the second place between Auboeck and Finke. It was Felix Auboeck’s third gold medal in the TYR Pro Series 2024, after having the podium in the 400m free and 200m free. But for Finke, his timing in the 800m free recently might be a worrying factor. 

The scale looms back

Bobby Finke’s TYR Pro Series 2024 stint wasn’t bad, but it left some unpleasant questions for him. This was the second swimming competition in the last three months on American soil. And Finke’s performance in the 800m free event dipped much lower. In Greensboro, the reigning 800m Olympic champion could time 7:54.90 to get way behind the swimming talent, Charlie Clark. 

Read more: Despite Olympic Dream On His Mind, US Swimming Champion Promises Graduation Alongside Paris 2024

Having said that, Bobby Finke’s timing in the TYR Pro Series 2024 was worse than the US Open Swimming Championship’s performance, albeit earning a bronze medal. So, giving a better performance, he has just a few days before the next TYR Pro Series in March. 

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