2015 CrossFit Games Announcements and Impact on Australia

Dave Castro dropped some bombs during the CrossFit Invitational Cool Down Show as to what is in store for the 2015 CrossFit Games. Director of The CrossFit Games Castro stated that there will be some changes in store with some new “cool components”.

Here are the key points from the announcement:

• 2015 CrossFit Open to include a “Scaled” Division i.e. Two Options for Standard and Scaled
• 17 Open Qualifiers “Old Regionals”
• Country Champions & State Champions Crowned from CrossFit Open
• Old Regionals will then consolidate into “Super Regionals”
• These “Super Regionals” will be established combining two “Old Regionals” together
• “Super Regionals” will be the basis of qualification for the CrossFit Games
• Top 5 Males and Females to Qualify from “Super Region” for the 2015 CrossFit Games

Big news to say the least after the comments earlier in 2014 around the “shake up” of the Open and Regionals qualification. Castro did provide a few examples of how this will play out.

Scenario 1: Example

• NorCal will compete against NorCal in the Open.
• But the Top 20 Finishers in NorCal will compete against the Top 20 from SoCal.
• With total of 40 competitors in from the two open qualifier Regionals (NorCal and SoCal) competing in the California “Super Regional”.
• From this, the top 5 Male’s and Female’s will qualify for the CrossFit Games.

Other Examples of “Super Regionals:

• North West and Canada West
• North East and Canada East
• Africa and Europe
• Asia and Australia; and
• Other existing USA States and Regionals will combine

How does this affect the Australian Region?

Australian Region currently comprised of the Top 48 Competitors from Australia and New Zealand will now combine with Asia. Castro provided some high level detail for how this will likely play out:

• Australian Region and Asian Region Consolidated
• Top 30 Male and Female Competitors taken from Open to compete at “Super Regional”
• Likely Top 30 Male and Female Competitors from Australia and Top 10 from Asia
• Top 5 Male and Females then Qualify for the CrossFit Games

Key Impact on Australian Region?

This makes the qualification for the “Super Regional” much more difficult, as the available qualification positions have reduced from 48 to 20. However, qualification places will increase from three to five, providing two new additional qualification places.

Top 5 Positions from 2015 Australian Region

Men

1. Rob Forte
2. Brandon Swan
3. Khan Porter
4. James Newbury
5. Kevin Manuel

Women

1. Denae Brown
2. Kara Webb
3. Pip Malone
4. Amanda Allen
5. Ruth Anderson Horrell

*NB: No consideration of Asian Qualifiers has been included as comparatively Australian Athletes finished higher overall.

What’s the verdict?

There is no doubting that with the growth of the CrossFit Open that changes needed to be made. One of the positive additions to the CrossFit Open has been the introduction of the “scaled” division. This provides the option for more competitors to take part and improve the inclusivity of the process.

Overall opinions have been divided in the short time since the announcement, with many frustrated that qualification for Regionals has become even more difficult. While the qualification Region is more difficult than ever, two new positions for qualification for the CrossFit Games have opened up.

What’s your opinion?

Tell us in the comments!