In this series, director and producer Sevan Matossian offers an uncensored look behind the curtain of the 11th edition of the CrossFit Games, held Aug. 3-6 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Behind the Scenes: '17 Games, Part 1
In Part 1, staff and athletes explore the new terrain in Madtown before the crowds descend and the competition begins. Games Director Dave Castro oversees all final preparations before athletes arrive, gives his candid thoughts on the competition and runs the demo team through testing.
Also on hand: NASCAR drivers Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and WWE superstar Seth Rollins, all of whom race through the obstacle course that will soon challenge the Fittest on Earth.
Behind the Scenes: ’17 Games, Part 2
In Part 2, the athletes officially kick off the 2017 competition with Run Swim Run, followed by the Games’ first cyclocross event. Later, they close out the day with Amanda .45, a tougher variation of the traditional muscle-up/snatch couplet.
Who will push through the pain and stand atop the leaderboard after Day 1?
Behind the Scenes: ’17 Games, Part 3
In Part 3, the athletes brave the elements to tackle the Sprint O-Course before heading inside the arena to throw around some heavy weight in 1RM Snatch. The second day of competition continues with the Triple G Chipper, followed by the Assault Banger—a twist on 2012’s Double Banger—which CrossFit Games Director Dave Castro characterizes as an event where "all you have to do is go out there and put in fucking work.”
Behind the Scenes: '17 Games, Part 4
In Part 4, athletes take on Saturday’s events: Strongman’s Fear, Muscle-Up Clean Ladder and Heavy 17.5.
The first event of the day, Strongman’s Fear, challenged athletes to move heavy odd objects down the field. The feats of strength were paired with handstand walking, which allowed some of the usual suspects to shine.
In Muscle-Up Clean Ladder, lifting was on display, and Heavy 17.5 brought athletes back to the final workout of the 2017 Open—with an evil twist.
Behind the Scenes: ’17 Games, Part 5
In Part 5, the competition concludes and 2017’s Fittest on Earth are crowned. The athletes kick off the final day with Madison Triplet, an outdoor event involving running, burpees, "cheese curd" sandbags and a lot of hay. They then prepare for 2223 Intervals, in which they’re required to perform rope climbs, rack up calories on the SkiErg and bang out max-rep sets of overhead squats.
Finally, the stage is set for Fibonacci Final—a fast-paced event featuring deficit handstand push-ups, double kettlebell deadlifts and kettlebell overhead lunges. Though Mat Fraser’s repeat win is never in doubt on the men’s side, the women’s champion is unknown immediately after a thrilling final event. With Australians Tia-Clair Toomey and Kara Saunders (formerly Webb) in the middle of the arena, Director of the CrossFit Games Dave Castro names Toomey the Fittest on Earth.