Italian Showdown Revamps Their Qualification Process

Earlier this week, we reported on how the qualification processes for Sanctionals next season are starting to shape up. Now the CrossFit Italian Showdown has recently joined the ranks of revamping their qualification process.

Open registration for all: In an email to the Morning Chalk Up, Event Director Carlo Strati detailed how the event is doing away with a traditional qualification process, and direct entry to the event would be open to everyone.

• There will be 1,500 athlete slots total for Individuals, teams, and masters, that will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. All athletes who register will be admitted to the first day of competition.
• All athletes will compete on day 1 in what’s being labeled as an “Open division,” and all athletes will face three elimination workouts.
• There will be Rx and scaled versions of every workout, and athletes will have the choice of which version they choose. Any scaled score will automatically be ranked beneath an Rx score similar to the Open.
• The field will be narrowed to roughly 300 athletes after day one, and after day three, the top five individuals and five teams will advance to the final showdown.

So far, not a single Sanctional in 2019-2020 season is offering up a wildcard. The only invites being offered are through earned exemptions like top ten at the 2019 CrossFit Games, but there are much more clearly defined rules for exemptions next season. 

For what it’s worth: Last year the CrossFit Italian Showdown had a qualification process that was unique from any other event, and so far it seems they’re keeping that trend going with their new system in 2020.

• In 2019, the CrossFit Italian Showdown was the only sanctioned event of the season to not have a team competition at their event, but that will change in the 2019-2020 season.