The CrossFit offseason is in full swing, and plenty of Semifinal and Games athletes are participating in competitions around the world.
- The German Throwdown recently took place on October 5-6, with Games veterans Moritz Fiebig winning the Elite Men’s division and Jacqueline Dahlstrom taking second for the Elite Women.
That same weekend, Lucy Campbell returned to competition for the first time since wrist surgery, topping the podium at the Marbella Championship in Spain.
In the months ahead, there are countless competitions to keep an eye on. One of the biggest ones takes place in a matter of weeks when the 2024 Rogue Invitational goes down in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Go Deeper
The field of elite athletes is robust and ever-growing, as the European CrossFit scene provides many opportunities for athletes to earn a living by competing each year. And as fans and athletes can attest, these European events have a vibe all their own.
One of those people who firmly agrees is the UK’s Lauren Smith, who got her start as a sideline reporter at the Strength In Depth competition in 2019.
- Later, she was hired by CrossFit and provided segments from CrossFit Reykjavik for the Open announcement in 2022 for Open workout 22.3.
Smith has since become one of CrossFit media’s most prominent voices, reporting from competitions all over the globe.
- Smith’s portfolio also includes sports beyond CrossFit, including track cycling, rowing, HYROX, strongman, and the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer. Needless to say, her schedule remains full.
Despite her experiences at events throughout the world, Smith agrees that there is something magical about the greater European competition circuit.
- “European fans will always hit different because we are all so different from one another. It doesn’t matter what sport you are in,” Smith tells the Morning Chalk Up. “There are mixed languages, religions, flags, values, and it all comes together in this wonderful, chaotic celebration of sport.”
She speculated that part of this could be in the sense of pride competitors take in their native sons and daughters.
- “A big part of it is that there is a fierce sense of pride in the athletes – especially nations with smaller representation, so the French with Victor Hoffer and Claudia Gluck, the Germans with Moritz Fiebig, Brits with Lucy Cambell, Harry Lightfoot and Aimee Cringle,” Smith says.
She recalls the French Invitational last spring and the core memory it created for her.
- “Nothing prepared me for the sensation of the French fans cheering and drumming at the European Semifinal. I was so proud to be European. All the flags flying, the French behind their people,” Smith says.
And while there is fierce competition among the fans and athletes, there is unity and camaraderie in their love of the sport.
- “The European athletes/media/fans travel a huge amount, arguably far more than over in North America,” Smith says. “We all move around countries to the main competitions throughout the year, and because of this, we have grown very close as a ‘European’ community, not just a ‘British’ community or a ’Spanish’ community, and I do think that is something that makes European athletes and fans unique.”
Mark Your Calendars
With this in mind, we’re looking forward to a number of European competitions within the next few months, in addition to the Rogue Invitational in November and FitFest in December.
Here are a few to put on your calendar:
Oslo Throwdown: October 25-27 – Oslo, Norway
This year, the Oslo Throwdown will take place at the Unity Arena in Oslo, which is ready to welcome fans throughout Europe. This is the biggest competition in Northern Europe and welcomes individual, scaled, and team athletes.
Basque CrossFit Txapelketa: November 1-3 – Bilbao, Spain
Like the Oslo Throwdown, this is another stop on the B. Friendly Tour, as Brian Friend will call the event alongside Jo Ciastula.
- This is the third edition of the event, and it will be held at two locations in Bilbao: the Bilbao Arena and the world-famous Guggenheim.
We’re hoping to see a little stone-lifting action in the programming, as Basque Country is home to “Herri Kirolak,” or Basque rural sports. These combine fitness, strength, and cultural tradition for a unique package you won’t see anywhere else.
Belgrade Games: November 15-17 – Belgrade, Serbia
The Belgrade Games, now commonly referred to as the Lazar Games, will host elite athletes like Elisa Fuliano, Manon Angonese, Moritz Fiebig, Jacqueline Dahlstrom, and Matilde Garnes.
- The competition was originally scheduled to take place in early September, but due to Lazar Ðukić’s death and the impact it had on the Serbian community, the event was postponed.
This year’s competition will be dedicated to Lazar, as is expressed through their social media channels:
- “Lazar was a role model for all our competitors and proudly represented our country, Serbia, on the international stage. Thanks to his extraordinary achievements, Serbia has found its place among the great sporting nations. His hard work and dedication inspired us and showed that a small country can achieve great things.”
Picsil Throwdown: February 7-9 – Pamplona, Spain
The elite roster for the Picsil Throwdown is heavy with Games and Semifinals athletes, including Linda Keesman, Jelle Hoste, Aniol Ekai, Lena Richter, and Luka Ðukić.
- This will likely be Luka Ðukić’s next competition, following the 2024 Dubai Fitness Championship in December.
Don’t Miss It
When speaking to Smith, we asked her what she would put in her “don’t miss it” category.
- She shared that the Marbella Championship is a recent addition to that list, held in the historical Marbella Arena in Spain. She explained that more so than a competition, the Marbella Championship is an experience.
She also reflects on her time reporting at Wod on the Loch in Scotland, where athletes kayak over Loch Lomond and trail run through the Scottish hills.
The events she dreams of working on include the Madrid Championship in Madrid, Spain, The Grand Sapphire Championship in Northern Cyprus, and Wodcelona in Barcelona, Spain.
Featured image: @cfprs / Instagram
