Two of the world's fittest women Tia-Clair Toomey and Kara Webb are just two of the big names in CrossFit that have turned out for the opening day of the CrossFit team competition, the Wellington Cup this weekend.
The Wellington Cup is a competition for CrossFit affiliates and since 2013, affiliates from all over New Zealand and Australia have been taking part in this demanding event of fitness.
The Cup is an individual and team comp. There are no divisions and workouts are structured much like the CrossFit Open to ensure universal participation for most of the weekend.
Tia-Clair Toomey from Australia has been named the second fittest woman in the world at this year's CrossFit Games and this weekend she has come to compete with some of the New Zealand locals. “I'm really having a lot of fun and I'm really honoured to be here. I’ve been asked to be a part of something really special, and it means a lot to me."
Toomey is part of the All Star team this year, that comprises of four elite athletes, who are competing alongside 28 other teams from across New Zealand and Australia. Event organiser Jess Limbrick says they bring in an All Star team of past and present games athletes, where they get to compete against people all the way from Whangarei to Invercargil.
Kara Webb who sits in the world’s top five, though not competing, has been named this year's ambassador and she is impressed with what she has seen so.
“The impression that I've got is that the kiwi athletes are willing to work, workhorses they just want to work out hard, but having fun too, no one seems overly competitive with each other," she says.
This year’s workouts are simple yet designed to test athletes in all aspects of fitness.
Kim Biddle from CrossFit Gisborne says, “All the workouts are always a challenge they're varied so you don't get bored but it's pretty intense most of the time.”
At the end of the weekend individuals will be crowned champions, and the top performing team will be presented with the Wellington Cup Shield.
