On November 9th, the CrossFit Invitational returns to our community, with one major change. Team USA vs Team World will no longer be the format of competition. Instead, Rich Froning, Jason Khalipa, Julie Foucher and Emily Bridgers (the four athletes who make up Team USA) will battle Team Canada, Team Australia and Team Europe at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Since 2012, the CrossFit Invitational has pitted the best American and International CrossFitters against one another. Team USA took home the honors at the very first Invitational held in London that year, while Team World got their revenge in 2013 with victory in Germany. Team World—made up of Europeans, Canadians and Australians—was able to avenge Team Europe’s 2012 20-6 loss by taking the fifth and final event to score a 24-19 victory over Team USA. The sold out competition took place in Berlin’s Templehof Airport, and was broadcast live to 59 countries in Europe and streamed live to North America.
Given the success of the competition and the growing popularity of CrossFit worldwide—not to mention the rise in quality of international athletes (Sam Briggs, Annie Thorisdottir, Mikko Salo and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet are all Games victors)—it makes sense to break up Team World and have additional regions represented at the Invitational.
And what an Invitational it promises to be. Just take a look at four-person teams that will be throwing down come November.
Team USA:
Rich Froning
Jason Khalipa
Julie Foucher
Emily Bridgers
Coach: Becca Voigt
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Team Europe:
Samantha Briggs
Annie Thorisdottir
Lukas Hogberg
Bjorgvin Guomundsson
Coach: Mads Jacobsen
Team Australia:
Kara Webb
Denae Brown
Rob Forte
Khan Porter
Coach: Chad Mackay
Team Canada:
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
Michele Letendre
Lucas Parker
Paul Tremblay
Coach: Reed Mackenzie
CrossFit HQ has yet to release the specific details of what the Invitational will consist of, stating simply that the teams will compete “in back-to-back events during the two-hour competition.” The competition will take place from on November 9th from 4-6 p.m. PT at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. Gates will open early, and there will be a vendor village and activities for fans who want to throwdown, mingle or shop before the event. Ticket details will be released on Games.CrossFit.com.
What do you think of the new format for the Invitational? Who are the favorites to win it all?
Go europe, let’s show them americans how we work here!