March 12, 2014
Backstage Pass: Open Workout 14.2

In the days leading up to the announcement of Open Workout 14.2, Dave Castro reveals a hint.

“It’s not fun and friendly anymore,” he says from I AM CrossFit outside Miami, Fla., where Talayna Fortunato and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet are the feature athletes for the announcement event.

“Last week, 14.1, was a good way to start. It was a fun workout, it was exciting, it was user friendly; 14.2—it’s time to go to fuckin’ work. This is gonna be, uh, this is gonna suck,” the Director of the Games says with his signature wide smile.

Chuck Carswell, a member of CrossFit’s Level 1 Seminar Staff, is relaxed amidst all the hustle and bustle. An experienced CrossFit Games judge, he says judging athletes in live Open events isn’t as challenging as evaluating movement at the Games.

“I don’t find it more nerve wracking. I think it’s actually easier. These guys know the world is watching, and it’s not like there’s 10 athletes in a heat,” he says.

He adds: “At the same time, as a judge, you obviously gotta be on guard for weird stuff.”

And if you’ve ever wondered who, exactly, knows the workout besides Castro, Rogue owner Bill Henniger isn’t in the loop. The company simply fills a truck with enough equipment for six people to do any movement and sends it to the venue.

“We basically just provide the toolbox for six people,” Henniger explains, “knowing that that overdoes it.”

Video by Jordan Gravatt.