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Dan
Dan Sullivan holds a BA in Communications, Psychology, and Business Economics as well as a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology. He is a certified Crossfit instructor in addition to being a Certified Personal Trainer by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and has worked in the fitness industry since 1998.
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2012 Crossfit Games: A Year of Firsts

by: Dan Sullivan

The road to becoming this year’s fittest man and woman on earth was definitely the one less traveled. From the start, the Finals had been scheduled to commence on Friday July 13th. So one can imagine the surprise felt by the athletes when they were informed on Monday the 9th that they would have one day to prepare for the first ever Game’s triathlon to be held on the 11th. This was no typical triathlon either. The event took place at Camp Pendleton, the United States Marine base located in San Diego, CA and covered a grueling course – a 700 meter ocean swim, eight kilometer bike ride over treacherous terrain, and an 11 kilometer run up and down rugged mountain trails.

The triathlon was followed by the first ever three-round bracketed event in Games history. Athletes competed on the Camp Pendleton School of Infantry Obstacle Course until Spencer Hendel walked away with his only victory of this year’s Finals. After a grueling first day athletes were given a day off to recover, another first for the Games, but one you can be certain was well deserved.

There were other firsts as well. A split snatch was introduced along with bar muscle-ups in the first event on Friday morning. Typically, snatches are done in Olympic Weightlifting style and muscle-ups are performed using gymnastic rings. Friday night saw the heaviest medicine ball cleans ever used in competition with men using a 150 pound ball and women used an 80 pound ball. The medicine balls reminded some fans of the Atlas stones used in Strong Man competitions. Saturday morning introduced CrossFit Football to the Games with a 300 yard shuttle run followed by a five round event that included a football sled push. Athletes could be seen wearing football cleats and gloves for this event. None of these athletes will be playing in the NFL anytime soon, but this was a very unique element incorporating yet another CrossFit programming option. Saturday night presented a chipper that introduced “fat bar” thrusters and burpee muscle ups. A “fat bar” is a bar much thicker and harder to grip than a traditional barbell and makes any lift a much greater challenge.

This was also the first year that VPX Sports was in attendance at the Crossfit Games, although we've been at all of the regional competitions as well.

Sunday made what is old, new again. In the first event competitors were asked to drive a weighted sled by striking it with a sledge hammer, reminiscent of the 2009 Games. The final three events brought back three of the original “Girls” workouts – Elizabeth, Isabell and Fran. Sadly, Chris Spealler was cut for the first time, in what was likely to be his last Finals.

In the end, it was Rich Froning and Annie Thorisdottir reigning as the first ever repeat champs at the Finals. Matt Chan, at age 34 became the oldest podium finisher in second place and Kyle Kasperbauer became the first parent on the podium, in third place. Julie Foucher and Talayna Fortunato were also first-timers on the podium. After this year it is hard to imagine what new challenges 2013 will bring.

[Check out the rest of our Crossfit Articles here]





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