2012 CrossFit Games: Day Two Wrap

Day two of the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games saw competitors make their first appearance at the Home Depot Center, after Wednesday’s surprise day of extra Events at Camp Pendleton.

For former champions Annie Thorisdottir and Rich Froning, it was the day they put themselves in perfect positions to be the first competitors to go back to back in Games history. For overnight leaders Chad Mackay and Julie Foucher, it was their chance to show day one was no fluke.

In the end the day proved to have many surprises, with both leaderboards started to settle, with the cream rising to the top, and the rest falling to the bottom.

MEN:

After a strong performance on day 1, Australian Chad Mackay was out to consolidate his position on top of the leaderboard on Friday. Despite winning the Ball Toss event, Mackay lost the lead to Kyle Ksaperbauer after the Track Triplet. After a decent effort in the Medball-HSPU couplet, where he finished 11th overall, he managed to hold onto a top three placing, and remains in the hunt to cause the upset of the year on Sunday.

Last years champ Rich Froning has reclaimed the lead after a string of consistent performances. Despite not winning an event yet, Froning has been Mr Consistent throughout the two days of Events and seems to be cruising along at the moment. He will, however, have to hold off a challenge by veteran Kyle Kasperbauer, who is only 17 points behind him in second place.

The 30 year old veteran, who competed at the Games all the way back in 2009, has been the surprise packet this year and is a real chance for a podium finish.

Other big names still in the hunt are Mat Chan (4th), Graham Holmberg (7th) and Dan Bailey (8th). last years podium finisher Ben Smith had another average day and is 16th overall, one position ahead of 2008 winner Jason Khalipa, who battled hard with two top ten finishes today.

WOMEN:

It was a day of two halves for overnight leader Julie Foucher on Friday. last years 5th place finisher performed great in the opening two workouts, finishing 12th and winning the Track Triplet, however, a horrible performance in the Medball-HSPU couplet saw her almost lose a 60 point lead.

Foucher couldn’t finish the workout within the 10 minute cut-off, and ended up 28th overall in the Event. She now only holds a one point advantage over Talayna Fortunato in second spot, with 2011 winner Annie Thorisdottir 3rd.

Another Games champion, Kristan Clever (2010 winner), also made her move, finishing 2nd and 6th in the final two events to move to 5th overall. She has been the most consistent performer over the past two days, and if she had finished a little bit better in the opening triathlon at Camp Pendleton, she would be winning right now.

Valley CrossFit girls Lindsey Valenzuela and Rebecca Voigt both had average days, and are now outside the top 15 with plenty of work to do if they are to sneak onto the podium on Sunday.

TEAMS:

While it’s one of the most fun divisions to watch and to participate in, the Team event is also one of the hardest to predict. With so many variables affecting performances, like athletes coming in and out of teams, you never know who will win. So far, after day one, it’s Hacks Pack Ute who lead the way, with Diablo CrossFit Anejo in 2nd place. TJs Gym Mill Valley rounds out the top three.

Famous affiliate CrossFit Invictus are still in the mix, 7th overall.