When is a sprint not a sprint?
When you do it at the CrossFit Games.
With sandbags on shoulders--one 35 lb. bag for women, two for men--athletes tore out of the Stadium and up the hill only to find a grind of a climb on the way up the viciously steep slope.
For some the sprint turned into a walk. For others, such as Pat Barber, it was top gear all the way. Barber set the pace early in the heats with a 1:06.8 that stood for several heats.
Barber actually had a false start, which oddly worked to his advantage. Barber was one of the few athletes to carry his sandbags behind his neck and dropped them as he was loading.
"I picked them up on my shoulders turned around and I was like, 'Well, whatever. Looks like I have to play catch-up,'" he said. After the restart, Barber loaded the bags with ease and ripped up the hill.
As for the 'sprint,' Barber said it definitely got rough at the top.
"I literally almost fell over...," he said. "Ten feet from the fricking (finish line), I'm looking at it going, 'Go, legs! Go, legs, go!' They just stopped completely."
J.C. Nessa, overall leader after WOD 2, had a simple strategy: "Balls to the wall."
He added: "The legs are already hurting from the first two workouts. I've just got to keep loose and keep moving."
Lauren Pryor is a track athlete who usually places high in any running event, but she wasn't sure what to expect when she got under the bag.
"It'll be interesting," she said. "I've never done it before."
Barber's early time stood up until the later heats, when Icelander Sveinbjorn Sveinbjornsson clocked a smoking 1:01 that stood up to the end of the contest.
In the final men's heat, J.C. Nessa jumped out to a lead in hopes of retaining the overall spot. He looked as if he would cross the line first before losing his footing and nearly his sandbags. That was all the opening Mikko Salo needed. The Finn slipped past Nessa and across the line, finishing ninth in the WOD, which puts him first overall. Nessa is second, fully 15 points back, and Jeremy Thiel is in third.
Annie Thorisdottir won the women's event in 1:07.4, with Carey Kepler second and Lauren Pryor third.
The top of the women's overall standings looks like an Olympic podium: Thorisdottir (Iceland) is in first, Tanya Wagner (United States) is second, and Pryor (Canada) is third.
Next up is the rowing/stake drive WOD--a true CrossFit original.
Mens Overall Results (After 3 Events)
Womens Overall Results (After 3 Events)
69 comments on this entry.
1. Robert wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:26 PM
Hate to say I told you so :) Annie is leading and Sveinbjorn climbed to sixth place.
Keep up the good work you guys! You can do it!
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2. Grant Scalf wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:30 PM
Things are heating up...
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3. Diane wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:33 PM
After her first year of CrossFit and first National event Christy Phillips, of Primal Fitness in DC, is holding her own placing 13th after 3rd event. 5 total events. # 255 Phillips, Christy 8th in the run (0:45:55.) 22nd in the Deadlift (295 lbs) 23rd in the sand bag run (00:01:19)
Very Proud of her efforts.
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4. Mike Cappi wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:35 PM
Good job Tanya! Stay consistent in these events like you have been and the 1st place spot is yours! All of APEX is rooting for ya!
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5. Andrew from CFW wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:36 PM
Hell yea Dawn! We're proud of you girl! 7th place in the 3rd event pushed her up 30+ spots. Watch out come that 5th event. This girl shines when it comes to the Oly lifts.
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6. Gunnar wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:39 PM
Watch out for icelanders! The only thing we're not good at is modesty ;) (well and banking apparently)
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7. BossDon wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:43 PM
Where is Omar Torres?
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8. Adam Kayce wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:45 PM
Go, Tanya! We're rooting for you!
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9. Alfie wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:46 PM
Wow! Mikko Salo takes a big lead. J.C. Nessa and Jeremy Thiel doing great as well. What happened to Josh Everett? An accident?
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10. Bob F. wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:46 PM
Good work J.C.! Way to kick ass brother!
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11. Tom wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:48 PM
Looking strong Heather - keep it going girl. Everyone back here in NE is cheering you on!
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12. Tom wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:49 PM
Andrew ....you're SUPER! way to go!!
Dad
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13. Bob F. wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:54 PM
Don't count out Josh Everett! He's been there before and is still in this!
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14. Latham wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:56 PM
To give credit where credit is due, the Potomac Crossfit Twitter feed is providing the best Games coverage right now. They're posting a stream of pictures.
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15. JimmyB wrote...
July 11, 2009 2:59 PM
We are all pulling for you Lauren E and P !!
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16. Teri wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:04 PM
Ditto what Tom said - Andrew Swartz, you are an inspiration!!
Way to go!!
Keep rocking the Games, Sack!
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17. Frank B wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:05 PM
How can this be considered a fitness competition without a benchpress or a long-run? It seems like all these events are just stuff you would do on any given day. I would like to see how many of these "athletes" could do an marathon, or a triathlon even!
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18. Frank B wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:07 PM
By the way for all you haters...i have done 2 marathons (3:45 PR) and can bencpress over 250 lbs.
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19. Naomi wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:08 PM
Yeah, Dunsey! Keep holding the line and obliterate the last two WODs. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!
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20. shacks replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 3:08 PM
frank u havegot2b shittin me!!!! worst comment of the day so far
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21. Mac wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:12 PM
To Frank B,
This is Crossfit man, Constantly varied, functional movements, at high intensity. Marathons and triathlons are for specialists not athletes. If you want something else, you should go to your local Globo gym and do a few exercises on your favorite machine.
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22. Frank B wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:12 PM
And know my shit...spent 2 years as a trainer at Ballys in Northern Virginia. So not like an amateur know it all
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23. Gunnar wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:12 PM
I think both the icelanders are doing an ultra trail run next weekend (55k) as they did last year and they can bench press as well :D
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24. Trollcatcher replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 3:12 PM
Don't feed the trolls....
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25. K2 replied to comment from BossDon...
July 11, 2009 3:25 PM
Bionic had to withdraw due to a back injury.
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26. Shane S replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 3:26 PM
Wow, Frank B, you're a god.
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27. kam replied to comment from Latham...
July 11, 2009 3:29 PM
I hope his battery doesnt run out!!! they're kicking ass out there!
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28. J cutt wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:33 PM
Frank apparently missed the memo on functional fitness, way to make the most crossfit ignorant response ever. The bench press is functional for laying on ur back and pushing heavy things off of u, crossditters don't spend that much time on there backs and we don't need to run 26 miles away, we will just turn around and fight and working at Bally's doesn't mean shit, I train trainers and I've seen lots of horrible trainers come out of Bally's, nice try though...
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29. DC wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:38 PM
FRANK B:
1. THATS GREAT YOU CAN DO THAT STUFF.. GREAT JOB!! But do you really thing you can do better then these Athletes? Cause I'm willing to bet CFHQ will find you and put you to the TEST!! 2. Crossfit isn't about just lifting or running its about being well rounded in life.. You said it Best "Their doing stuff you would do on any given day". Many of these Athletes do do marathon, or a triathlon.
SO HOW ABOUT YOU SHOW THEM SOME RESPECT, and show some sportmanship.. TO ALL THOSE WHO MAD IT TO THE GAMES I TIP MY HAT OFF TO YOU AND SAY BAD ASS JOB... AND GIVE IT YOUR ALL..
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30. Whatever... wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:39 PM
Wow...a whole 250lbs. on the bench Frank? Impressive.
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31. Chad replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 3:39 PM
Way to go White Goodman!!!
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32. Wayne wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:40 PM
Charts after the 3rd event:
http://www.quicksnapper.com/wvl/image/crossfit-games-2009-men-after-3
http://www.quicksnapper.com/wvl/image/crossfit-games-2009-women-after-3
For the men, Mikko Salo looks hard to beat, but after that it's anyone's game. The women look a little more strung out, but there's a clear top string developing.
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33. Ricardo replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 3:41 PM
Are you f'in kidding me??? Seriously! Haven't you ever heard the saying, "Life punishes the specialist, but rewards the generalist." This is a FITNESS competition. That means all-around fitness, you know, the ability to take on ANYTHING thrown at you??? I don't care how much you can bench or how fast you can run a long distance race. Can you handle random physical tasks thrown at you in the spur of the moment? My guess judging by your answer, is no. If you don't want to learn how, then like the other guy said, "go check out a GloboGym and pick out a machine."
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34. Wayne wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:42 PM
Charts after the 3rd event:
http://www.quicksnapper.com/wvl/image/crossfit-games-2009-men-after-3
http://www.quicksnapper.com/wvl/image/crossfit-games-2009-women-after-3
For the men, Mikko Salo looks hard to beat, but after that it's anyone's game. The women look a little more strung out, but there's a clear top string developing.
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35. dees wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:43 PM
Frank - i can bp 240 at 140 body weight, and i couldn't qualify for the games.
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36. Rickard wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:43 PM
Where is Jason "Rhabdo" Kaplan?
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37. Wayne wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:43 PM
Here's the chart for the men after 3 events. Mikko Salo looks hard to beat.
http://www.quicksnapper.com/wvl/image/crossfit-games-2009-men-after-3
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38. Wayne wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:45 PM
And here's the women, much more of a straight line drop, with a clear top 14 developing.
http://www.quicksnapper.com/wvl/image/crossfit-games-2009-women-after-3
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39. Ruairi wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:45 PM
Man, that Finn is some competitor. And an Icelander doing well in the ladies' division ....
It could be a very good year for the Northern Europeans. ;)
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40. Dave wrote...
July 11, 2009 3:46 PM
Rhabdo didn't qualify at the Northeast regional. He was hurt by his 2000 meter row time at that qualifier
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41. Ryan Hansen replied to comment from Rickard...
July 11, 2009 3:49 PM
He did not make it
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42. Ian J. replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 3:56 PM
"And know my shit...spent 2 years as a trainer at Ballys in Northern Virginia. So not like an amateur know it all"
Actually, if your entire experience is 2 years as a trainer in a NOVA Ballys, that's exactly what you are.
Particularly since you seem to think this competition needs a long run (which it had at over 7k), and a feat of strength (which it had in the Deadlift competition). Way to go, Frank B.
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43. Dominic wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:00 PM
twitter shut me down :-( too many tweets!
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44. Yvette wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:03 PM
CFC (Calgary that would be) continues to rock! Way to go DJ - I knew you could lift, didn't know you could run up a steep hill that fast! Lauren, Katy - way to dig in! (BTW: are you the youngest competitor Katy?) And of course - the Fitz's - high level at all times. Andrew (Vanc) - way to go! Joy -- as Kat said earlier, we saw your high level of athleticism and positive attitude at the western qualifier -- can only guess at how disappointed you may be but we are proud of you!
And of course, kudos to CFC Team -- we all know how hard you work. You are all incredible athletes, our inspiration, and Canadian ambassadors. GREAT JOB!
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45. Jeremy replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 4:07 PM
Hey man, which Bally's in NOVA so I can avoid that place like the plague?
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46. knox wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:07 PM
OK I'm a shark and can't ignore the feeding frenzy.
Frank, a 3:45 PR marathon? seriously are you bragging about that? I would hang my head in shame at that kind of time unless it came at the end of an Ironman (which I have also done). Go back to the hole from which you came. Adios
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47. Dominic wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:13 PM
twitter feed back up
http://twitter.com/crossfit305
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48. Walden wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:18 PM
I bet Frank B is Dave Castro fucking with everyone....
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49. se wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:21 PM
come on, let's stop tying up bandwidth with Frank bashing. it's making my refresh rate slower
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50. Jose E wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:23 PM
Vamos Geoff!!! Dale dale!!!
Show them the results of training at 8600 ft above sea level.
Crossfit Bogota rocks!
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51. Amanda L (Sydney AUS) wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:24 PM
Its 9am on Sunday morning here in Sydney Australia. I've woken up to quickly get online and check out the scores. Awesome effort all round to everyone competing!
However, I'm bias towards one particular athlete...STEVE WILLIS... He's my Coach at CFX. Unlike some 'trainers' like Frank B above, he practices what he preaches and doesn't sledge a sport that he doesn't know. Totally unprofessional Frank B.
Steve - I'm jumping up and down, woo hooing, 4th on the sand bag!!! 12th overall... Awesome, fantastic, inspriational. Everyone at CFX is behind you and cheering you on!
For our Aussie cheer squad who made the effort to get there, we're missing you at training, but very thankful that you're there for us cheering on Steve!!
GO STEVE!!!!!
A
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52. Brynjar Vidarsson replied to comment from Robert...
July 11, 2009 4:27 PM
Phenomenal! We are all behind Annie. The family is awesome!
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53. sean wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:35 PM
have they explained yet what exactly they are going to do for the last WOD today?
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54. bootsy sharon wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:36 PM
Go xfit milford!! We love you!
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55. RoyG wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:38 PM
I find it really interesting that Tony Budding was convinced that no one would complete all 20 Deadlifts and we get 16 competitors that all do! It would have been great to have another 10 set up...
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56. Graeme replied to comment from Frank B...
July 11, 2009 4:47 PM
if your so fit, send Dave Castro an email and take him up on his offer that he put out there last year $5k from his own pocket if anyone could beat Khalipa times from last years games, or you might be lucky and get him to facilitate the WOD's from this years games....
Not sure if the $5k is still out there, but dont let that hold you back, email Dave and even get him to organise Sevan and a camera crew to video your 'attempt' at proving that your are really fit...
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57. Aaron Reed wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:49 PM
Where is Brian Chontosh? He qualifiead 2nd for SoCal. Did he get deployed?
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58. Aaron Reed wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:50 PM
Where is Brian "Tosh" Chontosh? He qualifiead 2nd for SoCal. Did he get deployed?
Semper Fi - USMC
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59. graeme wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:53 PM
Go Steve from CFX
by the current placings up to WOD #3 looks like a few Dark horse's filling the top spots...
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60. sean wrote...
July 11, 2009 4:57 PM
Would of been fun if they asked them to pull out the spikes as well.
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61. Dave replied to comment from RoyG...
July 11, 2009 4:59 PM
Agreed. Its ridiculous that 16 guys get a "1" when one guys max DL might be 505 and another's might be 600. Just absurd. I guess this whole format is a work in progress and they will learn from their mistakes.
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62. RoyG replied to comment from Dave...
July 11, 2009 5:08 PM
Yeah - it is a bit of a shame. He was *so* sure no one was going to be able to do it. I guess he didn't consider the effect of adrenaline and a competition environment (of which Dave Castro had neither when he tested it).
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63. knox replied to comment from sean...
July 11, 2009 5:23 PM
How is Dave going to get those spikes out of the ground without tearing up the asphalt?
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64. Kieran replied to comment from RoyG...
July 11, 2009 5:40 PM
That deadlift workout has kinda screwed things up. Who would have known so many guys were so strong? Only 13 of the competitors in the deadlift list provided early in the week had 505lbs DL or greater. Wonder if out-of-date info confused things?
Some of the performances are almost comical. Kelsey is down as having a PR of 485. He beat that on a 20th rep. Millar goes from 455 to 485 on 18th rep. Speal puts 5lbs on his quoted PR. Wickham goes from 487 to 505. That list just isn't up to date.
All those "1"s in that workout really work against Speal in particular, who needs a lot of luck now to make the Sunday 16.
13 of the 16 are ahead of Speal, 5 of them in the top 16 spots.
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65. wordFromAustralia wrote...
July 11, 2009 7:54 PM
Well done Steve,
keep up the good work mate,
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie
Oi Oi OI!!
Got to flog some American ass!
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66. Gretchen wrote...
July 11, 2009 8:48 PM
Charity Vale U ROCK!!!!We are so proud of you! Love ya, G
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67. Dave Re wrote...
July 13, 2009 9:44 PM
I don't know who took it - but the pic at the top of this post kicks total ass!
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68. Ty wrote...
July 14, 2009 12:10 AM
I attended the 09 Crossfit qualifers in Calgary, and while watching the 3rd work out I overhead some random (Loud), VERY CROSSFIT women say these EXACT words. "Lauren is so talented, she is the nicest person to everybody, plus she is absolutely beautiful". I am a proud Canadian, and to hear those words about someone that would support and back up are Canadian reputation is truly awesome, congratulations Lauren and best of luck, Ty
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69. BossDon wrote...
July 15, 2009 12:20 PM
Frank B how much can you curl?
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