Video By: CrossFit 

They did it.

 

For the first time in the CrossFit Open’s five-year history, CrossFit has programmed muscle-ups at the beginning of an Open workout.

 

This week’s Open WOD (15.3) consists of a shoulder blasting triplet:

 

14-minute AMRAP:

7 muscle-ups

50 wall-balls

100 double-unders

 

Julie Foucher and Lauren Brooks were the first two athletes to test out the workoutThursday night during their head to head match at CrossFit Chicago in Chicago, where Foucher pulled out ahead by a full round, with a final score of 501 to Brooks’ 420.

 

After taking third place at the 2014 Games last year, Foucher appeared hungry for what she later said she’s working towards: “I want to have fun and come out on top,” she said.

 

Despite several missed double-unders on round one, Fouchers’ unbroken 28 out of 28 muscle-ups and unbroken wall-balls was where the race was won. Brooks fell behind as she had to break up her muscle-ups, one by one, and took self-initiated  rest breaks throughout her wall-balls and double-unders in order to recover her lung capacity.  At the sound of the buzzer, as the crowd went wild, as the announcers claimed they never thought anyone would get past 500.

 

“I think I had the right strategy. You have to start out a little bit fast, then settle in,” Foucher said, following the event.

 

Announcers Rory McKernon and Nicole Carroll, director of CrossFit's Certification and Training Department, analyzed the performance when all was said and done. Carroll, also known as an ‘Original Nasty Girl’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0nPnElcqgU&feature=youtu.be&t=12m13s ) also provided tips for all athletes who will be completing the same workout in their affiliates and home boxes this weekend

 

“For many athletes this is going to be a sticking point, and a fork in the road for their competition. If you don’t have muscle-ups, and know this for sure, go scaled. But if you’re close, and have the pull-up and ring dip capacity, give this a shot,” Carroll, said. “For other athletes (who have muscle-ups), these movements, back to back, only mean one thing:metabolic pain. Breathe, relax, keep the wheels on the bus, and dial that back in to the techniques of the movements,” she said.

 

Camille Leblanc Bazinet also made a special guest appearance, and caught up with Foucher, Brooks, Rory and Dave Castro following the 15.3 announcement.  

 

Her strategy?

 

“Get one more than Julie.”