Sara Sigmundsdottir hasn’t exactly had it easy lately. First, she became sick right before the CrossFit Invitational; and lately, she’s been battling pain so intense that it became hard to breathe. Now, she’s having to work around an injury more serious than she ever suspected. In a recent Instagram post, Sigmundsdottir explained what went wrong, and what her plan of action is. Get well soon, Sara!
Main image: Ragnheidur Sara Sigmundsdottir/Facebook
“I can guarantee you we will see more of these (handstand walks) in the future.” These are the words of Dave Castro, the mind behind the CrossFit Games, in an interview with Rory Mckernan during the last CrossFit Invitational.
Dave implemented an obstacle course during the Invitational, which surprised a lot of competitors. But the athletes are getting better, and his imagination must figure out ways to demand more. The exercise is challenging, sure, but not for everyone. Alec Smith is looking relaxed and natural doing these handstand walks since, as he said, they are all the rage right now.
Main image: Elsabre.com/Facebook
For teams competing at Regionals and the CrossFit Games, we’ve gotten used to seeing groups of six comprised of three men and three women. Well, Dave Castro decided to switch things up, and announced that moving forward, teams will consist of only four athletes, instead of six. He made the announcement after this past weekend’s CrossFit Invitational.
It’s apparently something that’s been on his mind for a while, and the Invitational proved it’s doable. While it might help affiliates make stronger teams, it also means two people will now be left out. That was something Rich Froning seemingly won’t stand for.
CrossFit Mayhem just announced the sixth member of their team, Tasia Percevecz, only to find out just a week later about this change. Froning’s solution is simple: make two teams. He posted something rather intriguing on his Instagram, implying that his plans are already in motion.
What can we expect next? Stay tuned!
Image: Tasia Percevecz/Instagram
The 2017 Reebok CrossFit Invitational is upon us, and fans are ready. The fittest men and women from each region of the globe will come together this Sunday, November 5th, at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The teams for Canada, Europe, the USA and Pacific are set, with powerhouse athletes like Tia-Clair Toomey, Annie Thorisdottir and Noah Ohlsen up to compete. The show starts at 4 p.m. AEST and is scheduled to go two hours — will you tune in?
The CF Invitational has become a unique and adrenaline-pumping competition in its own right. It’s considered by many to be the ultimate team competition on the globe, making groups of the two strongest men and women in each region. Last year, Europe took the top prize, followed by the USA, Pacific and Canada. This year’s team surely won’t disappoint:
Canada: Alessandra Pichelli, Carol-Ann Reason-Thibault, Brent Fikowski and Patrick Vellner will form a team coached by former Games champion Camille Leblanc-Bazinet.
Europe: Bjorgvin Gudmundsson, Sara Sigmundsdottir, Annie Thorisdottir and Jason Smith will come together to compete as a team for the first time. They will be coached by Samantha Briggs.
USA: Coached by Adam Neiffer, Tennil Reed-Beuerlein, Kari Pearce, Scott Panchik and Noah Ohlsen will represent the USA.
Pacific: Rob Forte, James Newbury (who will also coach), second fittest woman on earth Kara Webb, and Fittest Woman on Earth Tia-Clair Toomey are ready to represent on home soil.
Event one for this year have been released, and we can expect to kick off the day with rope climbs, rowing, worm cleans, and the Assault bike.
Who do you think will win? Let us know your predictions!
Main image: Noah Olsen/Instagram
The rest of the CrossFit Invitational Teams have been announced and it’s going to be an event you will not want to miss this year. Our Pacific Invitational Team is looking strong, but who could disrupt their run for the top?
Check the lineups below:
Katrin Davidsdottir
Sara Sigmundsdottir
Jonne Koski
Björgvin Karl Guðmundssona
Samantha Briggs (coach)
Ben Smith
Dan Bailey
Chyna Cho
Lindsey Valenzuela
Rich Froning
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
Emily Abbott
Lucas Parker
Alex Vigneault
Michelle Letendre
We are still anxiously waiting on the date and location announcement for the the 2015 CrossFit Invitational. Be sure to check back for updates or tune into CFHQ’s Invitational Update show here.
CFHQ is slowly announcing the individuals who will combine to make up the teams of the 2015 CrossFit Invitational.
Each year, the CrossFit Invitational invites the most elite individual athletes from around the globe to prove their fitness as part of a team.
This year’s Pacific crew looks to be stacked with a Games veteran, 3 promising rookies, and a highly respectable coach.
Benny Garard (@BennyGarard)
Kevin Manuel (@Kev_Manuel)
Tia Clair-Toomey (@TiaClair1)
Kara Webb (@KaraWebb1)
Rob Forte (@Rob_Forte)
Dates for the Invitational have not been released yet, but be sure to check out the update show for more information on your Pacific Team:
In the 2013 CrossFit Invitational, Team World consisting of Australia’s Kara Webb and Chad Mackay stunned Team USA, overcoming their star power with team work and strategy.
Since that day, the drama has been building to the 2014 CrossFit Invitational where Team USA had something to prove, in an attempt to win back the title.
To make things more interesting, Team USA were set to go up against three new teams, comprising of Team Australia, Team Canada and Team Europe.
Held in San Jose, California the scene was set for an epic day of competition between the best of the best.
Watch the mini documentary, Team of Champions: The Story of the CrossFit Invitational.
Watch the debrief with all of the teams and Dave Castro after the 2014 CrossFit Invitational.
Interviews with the athletes and Castro drops some serious bomb shells for what is in store for the 2015 season!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqvq4h4RaCo#t=379
All eyes will be on the 2014 CrossFit Invitational, held in San Jose California on Sunday, November 9th (Monday 10th in Australia).
With Team World taking top honors last year, the tables have turned with four teams now in the mix to take the title of fittest region on earth.
Team Australia, will be taking on Team USA, Team Europe and Team Canada in a two hour event spectacular. This is the first chance the Australian nation is represented!
US
AUS
CAN
EU
Let’s take a look inside Team Australia!
Kara came painfully close to winning the 2014 CrossFit Games. Leading the field for the majority of the competition, Webb was subsequently injured during the Midline March event on the final day and was forced to withdraw.
Webb has recovered well and training hard and excited to make an impact at the 2014 CrossFit Invitational. As one of the pivotal team members of “Team World” last year together with Chad Mackay, Webb will be leading from the front!
CrossFit Games Record
2012 – 19th
2013 – 12th
2014 – 31st (withdrew)
Although 2014 was a rookie appearance for Brown, she has in fact qualified to compete twice. Brown took first place in the Australian Regional and is an amazing competitor. With a 17th place finish, look for Denae to surprise.
CrossFit Games Record
2014 – 17th
With a third place finish in the Australian Region, Porter went on to finish 27th overall at the 2014 CrossFit Games. Porter’s youth brings a balance to the squad which is sure to shake the tag of underdog and light up the world stage.
CrossFit Games Record
2014 – 27th
The most consistent athlete in Australia, Forte is a four time games competitor and fresh of his highest place finish of 12th position at the 2014 CrossFit Games. Forte recently won the Schwartz Challenge in Melbourne and is arguably at the peak of his powers.
CrossFit Games Record
2011 – 30th
2012 – 35th
2013 – 33rd
2014 – 12th
There could be no better man to lead Australia than Chad Mackay. Three time CrossFit Games competitor and pivotal member of Team World’s success over Team USA in the 2013 CrossFit Invitational, Mackay
Event 1
For time:
45 pull-ups, 45 thrusters (female 1, 65 lb.)
45 pull-ups, 45 thrusters (male 1, 95 lb.)
45 pull-ups, 45 thrusters (female 2, 65 lb.)
45 pull-ups, 45 thrusters (male 2, 95 lb.)
Event 2
1-rep-max snatch
Event 3
1-rep-max clean and jerk
Event 4
For time:
Female pair completes:
12 synchronized muscle-ups
30-calorie row, partner holds deadlift, 275 lb.
10 alternating snatches, 135 lb.
30-calorie row, other partner in deadlift hold, 275 lb.
10 alternating snatches, 135 lb.
Then,
Male pair completes:
12 synchronized muscle-ups
30-calorie row, partner holds deadlift, 405 lb.
10 snatches, 185 lb.
30-calorie row, other partner in deadlift, 405 lb.
10 snatches, 185 lb.
Event 5
Handstand walk, 120 feet
950-lb. tire flip, 120 feet
Legless rope climbs, 8 reps
Worm lunges, 120 feet
Check out the live steam online at https://www.youtube.com/crossfit on Monday 10th November
Australia wide times:
11am for VIC, NSW, ACT, TAS
10.30am for SA
10am for QLD
9.30am NT
8am WA
Australia Team members are at HGST in San Jose, California, training for the upcoming 2014 Reebok CrossFit Invitational.
Hosts Pat Sherwood and Sean Woodland spent some time with Kara Webb, Rob Forte, Denae Brown and Khan Porter to talk about the competition that takes place Sunday, Nov. 9.
Watch Now: CrossFit Invitational – Team Australia
Credit: CrossFit Games
Check out Australia’s Own The WOD Life Superstore!
Pat Sherwood from CrossFit HQ, catches up with Australia’s own Chad Mackay. Mackay is a three time CrossFit Games athlete and one of the members of Team World who toppled Team USA in last years CrossFit Invitational.
Mackay and Sherwood discuss the upcoming CrossFit Invitational, where Chad will not be competing but rather coach Team Australia as it competes against teams from the USA, Europe and Canada.
This years invitational series will go down in San Jose, California on November 9th.
Credit: The CrossFit Games — (http://games.crossfit.com)
Team USA consisting of Rich Froning, Jason Khalipa, Ben Smith, Lindsey Valenzuela, Val Voboril and Talayna Fortunato proved no match for Team World, consisting of Sam Briggs (U.K.), Frederik Aegidius (Denmark), Camille-Leblanc Bazinet (Canada), Albert-Dominic Larouche (Canada), Kara Webb (Australia), and Chad Mackay (Australia).
In a live broadcast around the world, the Teams competed in back to back WOD’s in Berlin, Germany. While the men’s side of The CrossFit Games has been dominated by Americans in Rich Froning, Graham Holmberg and Jason Khalipa the Women’s side is a different story. With the past three victors originating from Europe with Sam Briggs taking out 2013 and Annie Thorrisdottor back to back in 2011 & 2012. With fast approaching 10,000 affiliates world wide, CrossFit is no doubt a worldwide phenomenon.
With Team World’s upset at the CrossFit Invitational 2013 in mind, it will no doubt prove for an event of EPIC proportions should it be repeated in 2014.
Credit: CrossFit Games
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