Leblanc-Bazinet and Larouche lead the way at the end of Day 1 in Canada East.
As the jet engines roared at the nearby Pearson International Airport, the athletes at the International Center prepped for Event 2. The story of the afternoon would be the weight. The challenge presented by rowing and pistols seemed to pale in comparison to the heavy hang cleans. This component divided the fields.
With the second event, there were now 15 lanes on the floor. For the team event, the whole floor was a flurry of activity. The community nature of CrossFit clearly emerged, as the incredible athleticism of its members. The event was perfectly designed for such a display.
No one clear leader emerged at any point during the team competition, in either of the heats. In the first heat, Kitchener dominated the first part of the workout, being the first to leave the rower, have 1 member finish, and to get 2 members off the floor.
The first four teams to complete the row were Reebok CrossFit Firepower, CrossFit Cambridge, CrossFit Kitchener and Catalyst Green Army. CrossFit Cambridge took the first heat, and the overall event, in a time of 18:01. Reebok CrossFit Firepower, also in the first heat, took the second spot of the event, in 18:42.
Rounding out the top three was Usine CrossFit Ottawa, of the second heat, with a time of 19:40. As the heat unfolded, there was little indication as to which team would emerge the victor.
The leaders varied, with Lusine Montreal, Usine CrossFit Ottawa and CrossFit Connection all sharing the top spot at one point or the other. CrossFit Connection was the first to have a team member done in the second heat; Kerry-Lynn Blonde’s ability to clean heavy weight was evident. She rocked the hang cleans like no ones business; a clear asset to Connection’s Team.
At the end of the heat, Usine CrossFit Ottawa finished 1st, CrossFit Select came 2nd, and CrossFit Brossard came 3rd. Alexis Leblanc-Bazinet’s one-legged squats, fluid and unbroken, catapulted his team in the heats standings, resulting in a 4th place finish in the event.
For the women’s event, the race was once again between Camille Leblanc-Bazinet and Michele Letendre. Both finished the 2k row with the pack of the final heat, but Leblanc-Bazinet pulled ahead with her smooth pistols. Letendre was a bit behind after the one-legged squats, but once on the bar, she closed the gap, catching Leblanc-Bazinet at 22 reps to Leblanc-bazinet’s 20. When Leblanc-Bazinet finished 30 reps in 12:45, Letendre had 2 to go. She finished in 12:51. Overshadowed by the great race was Elma Ducic, who finished 3rd with a solid time of 13:34.
For the men’s event, the weight proved a significant barrier. Only two men finished the workout in the first heat. Jeff Larsh and Tommy Snarr handled the weight with great poise and skill. Only ten in total would finish. Matthew Lefave would take the event with a time of 13:40. Chris Cristini finished closely behind at 14:02 and Maguid Nicholas clocked a time of 14:30, earning him in 3rd place.
While leaders have started to separate themselves from the pack, nothing is certain. Lacey Van Der Marcel sits in 3rd, Michele Letendre is in 2nd, and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet leads the way. Isabelle Tardif and Kendra Johnsen are not far behind.
On the men’s side, Jay Rhodes sits in 3rd, Simon Paquette in 2nd, and Albert-Dominic Larouche in 1st. Wes Ng and Jeff Larsh follow closely. No lead on the men’s side is comfortable.
For the team competition, Usine CrossFit Ottawa is at the top of the Leaderboard, followed by Lusine CrossFit Montreal and CrossFit Brossard. Reebok CrossFit FirePower, CrossFit Select, and CrossFit Cambridge, in 4th, 5th and 6th, respectively, are breathing down their necks.
