Nicole Gordon of CrossFit Hampton Roads was in the first heat of the sledge event. Entering the event she was hovering just behind the middle of the pack. She hit the ground running and was doing well in the event until a poor strike and unfortunate hand placement caused big problems. Nicole's finger was crushed between the sledge hammer and the stake.
Nicole was undaunted, and finished the event in spite of the pain. You could her scream intermittently throughout the final 500 meter row.
The medical team stood by as she pulled out her last few strokes on the machine and immediately went to work. Nicole was taken to the hospital by ambulance where they assessed the extent of the damage. When it was determined that the finger was not in fact broken, she rushed back to compete in the Couplet. She called frantically from the car to assure us she was coming back for her scheduled heat.
The fastest female in the Sledge event was Sarah Dunsmore of CrossFit Durham, with a time of 5:33.
6 comments on this entry.
1. lindsey smith wrote...
November 4, 2009 4:38 PM
Nicole,
Many props to you for finishing that event!
My two year old daughter is sitting on my lap and she kept saying, "Mama, she ouchie" all through the video.
Hope to see you next summer!
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2. Justin wrote...
November 4, 2009 5:21 PM
Wow. that was hard to watch. You are a very tough person and a fierce competitor. Most people would have quit. My hat is off to you.
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3. Tommy Hackenbruck wrote...
November 4, 2009 7:02 PM
Nicole, nice work getting your Level 2 in Santa Cruz. Stay tough and see you in Aromas 2010!
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4. Aaron wrote...
November 5, 2009 12:28 PM
There was speculation during the event that taller people were cleaning up this event. I guess Sarah winning the women's event indicates otherwise.
This was fun to watch, though there was the single mysterious slot that seemed like the competitors were hammering into rock.
It is hard to come up with events that test the application of fitness and don't favor "crossfitters" because they are modes and types of workouts we are used to doing all the time. Events like this give a real opportunity for non-crossfitters to compete which will make a victory from a crossfitter the ultimate argument for the superiority of the program. I thought this games did an excellent job of that.
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5. Russ Greene wrote...
November 5, 2009 3:54 PM
Aaron,
I agree.
We should be constantly seeking similar challenges to push us out of our comfort zones. I'm hoping to see more gymnastics skills in the 2010 games, for example.
Nicole,
I didn't realize you were such a badass at the L2 last weekend. Strong work.
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6. joe lengel wrote...
November 6, 2009 8:21 AM
Nicole,
After seeing that happen live in Aromas as a spectator, seeing it again on video reminded me of how our hearts went out to you for your extraordinary courage to finish the event in the face of such obvious pain. You are the embodiment of the CrossFit T-shirt that reads: "You can cry but you can't quit".
It was terrible to see you in such agony but your response to it was the highlight of the Games for Karen and me.
Now we are working out with your little sis and she has some big shoes to fill. Well done.
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