American Mat Fraser was a class apart on the first day of the Reebok CrossFit Games at Madison, Wisconsin.
Here, we look at the key talking points from Thursday’s action.
HOW DID THE CHAMPIONS FAIR?
Defending champions Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey had contrasting opening days at the Alliant Energy Center.
Three-times defending champion Fraser won both his heats with relative ease, raising the temperature at the right time to leave rivals in his wake.
In the first heat, the 29-year-old finished his workout in 15:07.70, nearly 35 seconds ahead of compatriot Chandler Smith in second place.
He continued where he left off in the second heat, which was a more high-intensity workout, crossing the line in a time of 5:37.02, just three seconds in front of Pole Bronislaw Olenkowicz.
Elsewhere, Toomey, who is chasing a third successive Games victory, shone in the early workout. The Australian was in scintillating form, clocking 16:56.63 and in the process, finishing over 80 seconds ahead of overnight leader Karissa Pearce.
But in the afternoon session, the 26-year-old could only manage a mixed 12th after struggling on the hand stand walks. She was 42 seconds behind event winner Danielle Brandon.
Despite sitting third on the overall leaderboard, Toomey is certain to flourish on day two.
BIG BEN IS BACK
The 2015 champion Ben Smith, making his 11th successive appearance at the Games, showed just why he deserved the wildcard by dominating the first heat and finishing fifth in a competitive second heat.
The American had surgery on his left knee to repair a meniscus tear earlier this year and, although his road to recovery was quick, he was unable to train seriously until before the Rogue Invitational in May where he placed 14th.
As a result of not earning his ticket to the Games automatically, CrossFit HQ decided to give one of the most decorated athletes of all-time a wildcard.
He did not disappoint and now sits fourth overall on the leaderboard.
SIGMUNDSDOTTIR STRUGGLES
Sigmundsdottir had enjoyed a solid season heading into this weekend’s Games, winning the CrossFit Open and Strength in Depth as well as securing podium finishes in Dubai and Wodapalooza.
But, whether the Iceland native had a slight injury or just an off-day is unknown, as she struggled in the opening event, finishing in a disappointing 40th after receiving a time cap from one of the judges.
In the second event, she improved and looked set to win the heat, but with just metres to go on the handstand walk, she fell and had to start the last section again. She eventually finished fifth.
Sitting 26th on the leaderboard may be disappointing, but the best way for the two-time podium finisher to get over a poor opening day is to put it behind her and make amends on Friday.
SCORING SHAKE-UP
Scoring at this edition of the CrossFit Games was unlike anything we’d ever seen before.
After the first day the field of individual athletes was reduced from 148 men and 134 women down to 75 athletes in each category. In the team event, there was 14 teams to start the day, with three teams eliminated after the first event.
The field will look different every single day, and come the final day on Sunday, it will be a small and intimate race to the top. Key to this will be condensed fields with more space and better competition for the athletes.
