“Regionals 9.3 (Canada East)”

Background: By 2009, interest in the sport of fitness had grown to the point where a qualification step was necessary. On September 26, 2008, the 2008 Games site warned:

“The 2009 Games will not be open enrollment. There will be no scaling. You must qualify to enter. Adequate performance in the 2008 Games will count. There will be a series of qualifying events around the country (world) in May, 2009.”

For individual competitors, the 2009 CrossFit Games season was a two-step process: Regionals and the Games. It was the only CrossFit Games season that included a two-step process. 2007 and 2008 were one-stage competitions, and each year since 2009 has featured three stages.

The Regionals began with the now familiar breakdown of the world into 17 Regions. The names and boundaries, however, were different. Instead of the now familiar South East, you had the Dirty South. Much of what we now know as South Central went by the name of Hell’s Half Acre. And the tiny island of Iceland had its own Regional, separate from the rest of Europe.

Regional programming in 2009 featured creative flair, as well. Each Regional had separate qualification workouts, opening the door for some innovation. Canada East featured a cross-country run over “rough” terrain with stops for “mini-events” along the way. The North West Regional brushed off an old classic long discontinued in Olympic weightlifting competitions — the clean and press. NorCal required uphill farmer’s walks, with the unexpected complication of heavy rain.

In addition to the 17 live Regionals, individuals qualified for the Games in 2009 via the Last Chance Online Qualifier, a virtual, video submission competition. Foreshadowing the CrossFit Games Open, the Last Chance Qualifier posted three workouts and had competitors complete them on their own and submit results and videotaped performances via email. Athletes who missed qualification at Regionals had a second chance at making the Games. Surprisingly, the 2009 CrossFit Games’ second-place finisher, Tommy Hackenbruck qualified via the Last Chance Qualifier, as did Peter Egyed and Spencer Hendel.

The third of 4 total workouts for the 2009 Canada East CrossFit Games Regionals (aka: "Regionals 9.3 (Canada East)") was announced on May 3, 2009.