And so it begins... the obscure pictures and the speculation as if we were cracking the Da Vinci code as to this years open workouts.
Background
The ever mysterious Dave Castro, the Director of the CrossFit Games and CrossFit Open programming extraordinaire, forever keeping CrossFit Open athletes on their toes. I always think this picture from the 2016 CrossFit Games sums him up rather adequately -
Where Castro wrapped up the event with his hair in cornrows, in a t-shirt that read “unapologetic” with enough fake bronzer on to give Donald Trump pause whilst handing out the winners with vouchers for their Glocks (a debate for another time!).
If this is your first open and you're getting deep into that Koolaid drinking then make sure to follow @thedavecastro to keep up to date with the latest obscure pictures and guesses of 18.1. If you haven't seen them before - last years first open workout announcement involved the cover of Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," a novel about a half-blind and deaf hunchback who falls in love with a gypsy in late fifteenth century Paris - hard to see how that fits with CrossFit.
18.0 Lead up
For Time
Reps: 21-15-9
Movements: Dumbbell Snatch + Burpee
Dumbbell Weight: Men: 50 lbs (22.5kg) & Women: 35 lbs (15kg)
As it turns out, 18.0 will be an additional workout, but not connected with the regular Open (as stated by CrossFit in the comments section).
This workout may not seem all that shocking, but there’s a catch. Castro also included a few new movement standards in this workout for the dumbbell snatch and burpee.
New Dumbbell Snatch Movement Standards
Last year, an athlete had the ability to switch their hands on the dumbbell while it was overhead in-between reps. For 2018, Castro has announced that an athlete must bring the dumbbell below eye level before switching their hands in-between reps.
New Burpee Movement Standards
An athlete must set the dumbbell down next to them in the direction they’re facing and jump over as so. For example, the dumbbell will lie in the same direction you’re standing (aka parallel to your foot), and you have to complete the jump over the dumbbell with the foot completely parallel/in-line with it before doing so.
Castro also pointed out that if at any point an athlete steps back or forward during the burpee portion, then they’re technically doing the workout scaled. The Rx’d burpee entails an athlete jumping back, and then jumping forward to count one rep.
Now the real question - there are two new movement standards used in 18.0 but 18.0 is not connected with the regular Open so will we see these standards in the Open or is Castro just playing lols...?
18.1 Predictions
The Repeat
Two ideas seem to be surfacing as to what this might be:
1. Speculation that 18.1 will be a repeat of 17.1 -
Workout 17.1
For time:
10 dumbbell snatches
15 burpee box jump-overs
20 dumbbell snatches
15 burpee box jump-overs
30 dumbbell snatches
15 burpee box jump-overs
40 dumbbell snatches
15 burpee box jump-overs
50 dumbbell snatches
15 burpee box jump-overs
Women use 35-lb. dumbbell and 20-in. box
Time cap: 20 minutes
It is still too early to make any kind of accurate prediction but I can say that 17.1 will feel a whole lot different for me with these new "burpee standards"!
2. A repeat of 15.5
Here's hoping not!
Workout 15.5
27-21-15-9 reps for time of:
Row (calories)
Thrusters
Men use 95 lb.
Women use 65 lb.
The movement predictions for 2018
Expect to see:
Ring Muscle Up
After a 2 year hiatus surely we will see the ring muscle up again this year!
The continuation of the dumbbell reign
Irrespective as to whether we see it as part of a repeat or not, the dumbbells are here and here to stay for 2018. So here's hoping NZ doesn't sell out of 22.5kg dumbbells again..
Shuttles
Now we have seen the walking lunges, maybe this is the year of the introduction of shuttle sprints? Likely rather far fetched but this is merely speculation after all!
Following these we will likely see the standard:
- Double unders
- Thrusters
- Chest to bar and scaled equivalent
- Wall Balls
- Some sort of barbell lifting ladder
- Rowing
There have been talks as to the introduction of the assault bike, however, given the numerous models with no standardised calorie counters I think it is reasonably safe to say these will be out.
The 2018 Open champion predictions
Rather impossible to predict but you have to put a guess in to be able to yell out "I told you so" if it happens!
Annie Thorisdottir has had one successful season in 2017 and looking stronger than ever so could be prepped to take out another open as she last did in 2015. Although still to take out an open season, my money is on Katrin Davidsdottir, after placing 5th last year at the Games following two consecutive wins, this girl will be out to prove she still has what it takes to reclaim the Games title (as she did at Wodapalooza a few weeks back).
In the mens there doesn't seem anyone even close to Mat Fraser. This guy is unstoppable.
Live announcements
The workouts will be announced live all over the world (with the first one in São Paulo, Brazil) at 2pm NZT every Friday.
So book in your lunch breaks around this time and get your workmates prepared to hear you yell "f**k Thrusters" or something similar whilst obscurely drawing up a game plan and converting pounds to kilos.
Watch it live at the CrossFit games website or Facebook page.
Other things to think about before the 22nd of February
1. Lookout for the App - CrossFit Games is once again attempting an app for this years open season - it is still "coming soon" so watch this space (hopefully!)
2. Recruit - Make sure you've talked all your CrossFit buddies into doing the Open because everything is way more fun and way less terrifying when there is a bunch of you doing it!
3. Equip - Get prepared with equipment - you will likely need a speed rope for double unders, grips, gloves or tape to look after your hands - the last thing you want are ripped hands in week one of your first open! If you don't have this stuff - your friends that you've recruited above might so share around!
4. Diary - 2pm every Friday to watch the announcements and 2pm every Tuesday to have your scores submitted by!
If it all goes belly up and Castro somehow manages to program your worst movements ever in 18.1, remember - it's just for fun and you can always nab yourself one of these t-shirts made by The Good Dudes, Dan Bailey, Josh Bridges and Rich Froning.
Just 22 days until 18.1 is announced! So if you haven't already, make sure you get signed up here!