2012 CrossFit Games: Day 3 Wrap

It was a case of Deja Vu on the leaderboard on Day 3 of the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games, with reigning champions Rich Froning and Annie Thorisdottir both in front.

Just like they did at the Home Depot Center in 2011, the pair will go into the final day of competition ahead of all their competitors, and are in perfect positions to make history as their first multiple winners of the Games.

As well as the dominance shown by Froning and Thorisdottir, we also saw a number of experienced veterans show us they are far from spent forces. 2008 winner Jason Khalipa threw himself right back into podium contention with a day of dominance, while multiple Games competitor Lindsey Valenzuela showed her strength with solid performances in the sled push and clean ladder.

In the teams section, overnight leader Hacks Pack Ute remain on top after another great day, while CrossFit Invictus stayed within striking distance heading into the final day.

And there was also the athlete cut-off’s, which saw all fields reduce dramatically.

MEN:

2011 champ Rich Froning is now firm favourite to win back to back titles for the first time in Games history, holding an 88 point advantage over his nearest rival, Matt Chan. Froning has been Mr. Consistent all weekend, finishing top 5 in seven events. Despite being so far ahead, Froning has only won one event so far, with that being the Chipper event to wrap up Saturday.

Froning, however, wasn’t the best performer on the day. That title went to Jason Khalipa who claimed three second place finishes in a row to jump from 18th position before the day started, to 4th overall. The 2008 Champ is now also within reach of winning another title, and just like he did in 2009 at Aromas, the big fella is flying home and in fine form.

Chad Mackay from Australia was one to slide down the leaderboard. The early leader struggled today and is now in 7th overall. Veteran Kyle Kasperbauer remains in 3rd spot, while Froning’s training partner Dan Bailey sits 6th.

WOMEN:

The women’s comp is a little bit closer than the men’s half, especially after Julie Foucher took out the Chipper Event. Foucher, who started the day in 1st place, lost the lead to Annie Thorisdottir after struggling in the clean ladder, but is now back within striking distance, just 46 points behind the 2011 champ.

Talayna Fortunato is also a chance to de-throne the Viking Warrior Annie, sitting in 3rd place, while 2012 champ Kristan Clever is 4th overall.

Two women who moved up the leaderboard today were Elisabeth Akinwale and Lindsey Valenzuela. The two were the only athletes to complete the clean ladder, and are now inside the top 12.

As well as many athletes being cut, with the field reduced to 24 by the end of the day, there was also a withdrawal, with Jenny LaBaw deciding to end her Games campaign prematurely.

TEAM:

Overnight leader Hacks Pack Ute remain the team to beat, despite their lead decreasing. They are now 57 points ahead of Diablo CrossFit Anejo, with RAW Training rounding out the top three.

Crowd favourite, CrossFit Invictus are in 6th place, while Schwartz’s CrossFit Melbourne also moved up the leaderboard with two top four finishes today.