28 TRAINING : HYROX N.A. Mikaela Norman and David Magida win the HYROX North American Open Championships On Saturday, 11th Feb at the Chicago Navy Pier, two new champions were crowned in the elite race of the HYROX North American Open Championship. Mikaela Norman improved on her third-place position from Maastricht 3 weeks ago to edge out Megan Jacoby and Lauren Weeks. David Magida ran his best season race to claim the title with an impressive second-half surge. The race was one of the most popular US events this season, with over 2,000 athletes and spectators through the door and CrossFit media royalty John Wooley (Make Wods Great Again) and on-field reporter at the CrossFit Games Niki Brazier both in attendance with their podcast Kettlebells & Cocktails. With world championship qualification slots on the line and a stacked field of athletes, both races were tough to call. Expectations for the Americans were high; in the Male race, former NA champion Ryan Kent sought to defend his crown whilst Dylan Scott, the top seed entering the race, looked to continue his impressive season. A strong field of Europeans had also made the trip, European Champion Alex Roncevich, along with Tim Wenish who place 2nd in Maastricht and Michael Sandbach, who placed 3rd all travelled. In the Female division, all eyes were on Lauren Weeks following a dominant performance in Maastricht, whilst Mikaela Norman (CH) also made the trip from Europe seeking to better her 2nd place finish from the previous race. Megan Jacoby rounded out the favourites following an impressive third-place finish in Maastricht despite running an additional lap. These three athletes have separated themselves from the field this season with times that have consistently threatened the 1.00 mark. Male Race: The Males started with a familiar story, Michael Sandbach (UK) leading early with a strong first 4 stations in which he managed to separate himself from Ryan Kent (USA), Dylan Scott (USA) and David Magida (USA), who formed the chasing pack. A steady rise up the placings left Scott and Magida in second and third as they closed the gap on Sandbach, who held the lead into the row. Magida, who put in impressive performances in the sleds (3.18 Push, 3.49 Pull) to push himself up the placings, made his move in the farmer’s carry where he caught and surpassed Sandbach with a 2.00 flat station. @hyroxworld @hyroxworld @HYROX
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