2012 Fittest Games - Registration Guidelines
The 2012 Fittest Games Presented by Kona Deep
Pro vs. Amateur
Dear Fellow CrossFitter,
We at the Fittest Games would like to take this opportunity to explain the divisions of this year’s competition.
The 2011 CrossFit Games qualification process of Sectionals, Regionals and Games has distinguished a new level of CrossFit Athlete. We recognize that CrossFit HQ has defined a new standard of what it means to be at the top tier of CrossFit athletes. These athletes as chosen by CFHQ were one step away from making it to Carson, CA. They are next-level competitors and we feel they deserve to be recognized as such.
As the sport of CrossFit advances, there is a need to elevate the playing field and expose our community to CrossFit the Sport in a way that more closely resembles where the sport is headed.
2012 marks the fifth year that we have put on the Fittest Games. Since its inauguration, the Fittest Games was intended to be an elite-level competition pulling the best CrossFitters in the region together to go head to head and see where they stand before the Games season officially begins. This year’s competition is no different.
With athletes scheduled to come in from all over the nation, we will honor those who have achieved “Pro” status in our sport. This definition may change over the next few months and years, but we feel that this is a logical next step. This is the next evolution of our sport.
Q: What does “Pro” mean?
A: We are defining “Pros” to be those individuals who qualified as an individual to participate in the 2011 Regionals (top 60 in their respective region out of Sectionals).
*Example:
-If you qualified top 60 in your region in the 2011 CrossFit Open.
-If you qualified top 60, but chose to participate on your affiliate team, you are still considered a “Pro”.
Q: What does “Amateur” mean?
A: Anyone who did not qualify in the top 60 places in their Region in the 2011 Open.
*Examples:
-If you did not compete in the Open last year.
-If you finished 61st or higher in the Open.
-If you have been CrossFitting for one week.
-If you have been CrossFitting for 10 years, can snatch 285#, Squat 600#, have a 5 minute Helen, a 2 hour marathon and are an ex-Olympic Gold Medalist but did not qualify top 60 in the 2011 Sectionals.
This is not a distinction of skill; this is a difference in past competitive history. Our aim is to honor and showcase those individuals who have “earned their stripes” so to speak.
PLEASE NOTE:
—Amateur does not mean “beginner” nor does it mean “easy”. While the Amateur division will not be doing the same WODs as the Pros (nor will they be scored against the Pros) rest assured that the WODs will be challenging and you will need a high level of fitness across broad time and modal domains.
—Amateur does not mean scaled. NCAA Division I athletics is Amateur, but it is the highest level before turning Pro. Robert Griffin is an “Elite Amateur” with a Heisman Trophy to prove it.
—This year’s Amateur division promises to be highly competitive and will be a proving ground for this year’s Regional competitors.
The Fittest Games will be a true test of fitness. We pride ourselves on the highest levels of professionalism, programming and organizing the best competitions in the nation.
We hope that you will join us for the 5th installation of the Fittest Games. Good luck and see you soon.
Sincerely,
Michael Winchester & Ingrid Kantola
Fittest Games 2012 Directors
