One of the most iconic implements in CrossFit Games history made its return in Event 8. Athletes faced the infamous Snail, a 400 lb (181 kg) sled that had to be pushed 100 yards, while also completing legless rope climbs and toes to bar. To make matters even tougher, the men wore an additional 22 lb (10 kg) weighted vest throughout the event, women wore a 16 lb vest.
Event 8: Climbing Snail ’26
For time:
- Snail push
- 2/3 legless rope climbs
- 30 toes-to-bars
- 4/5 rope climbs
- Snail push
Grip management quickly became one of the defining factors. Between the repeated legless rope climbs, toes to bar, and the enormous effort required to move the Snail, athletes had to carefully balance intensity with recovery. The brief rest periods became increasingly tactical as fatigue accumulated.
The Men
Heat 1
Pat Vellner immediately looked at home in the opening heat. His gymnastics background paid dividends on the rope climbs, allowing him to maintain smooth, efficient movement while many others began to struggle with grip fatigue.
The race developed into a thrilling battle between Vellner and Finland’s Henrik Haapalainen. The pair were neck and neck over the closing stages before Vellner narrowly edged ahead on the final push of the Snail, crossing the finish line in 6:23.29. Spanish athlete Calum Clemen also impressed with a strong performance throughout the event.
Heat 2
Gui Malheiros attacked the workout from the opening whistle, leading the field through much of the heat. He strategically broke his toes to bar into smaller sets to preserve his grip, although the repeated rope climbs eventually began to slow him down.
Victor Hoffer and Jeff Adler steadily climbed the leaderboard as the workout progressed, taking advantage of consistent pacing while others faded.
Malheiros held on to win the heat in 6:22.52, emptying the tank with one final all-out effort to shove the Snail across the finish line. Judging by the athletes’ expressions and body language, the implement proved every bit as brutal as its reputation suggests. Adler finished second in the heat, while Luka Maisuradze claimed third.
Heat 3
The final heat started at an aggressive pace as Moritz Fiebig, Jayson Hopper, and Roman Khrennikov immediately surged to the front.
With several legless rope climbs still ahead, the leading athletes had to avoid burning through their grip too early. Rest periods became increasingly strategic as everyone fought to preserve enough strength for the closing Snail push. Khrennikov separated himself after the toes to bar, moving straight onto the rope with flawless technique before reaching the Snail ahead of the field. From there, he never looked back.
Khrennikov claimed victory in 5:27.60, securing the sixth CrossFit Games event win of his career. James Sprague finished second, Dallin Pepper took third, with Jayson Hopper and Ricky Garard completing the top five.
Event 8: Gazan Dominates as Rodgers and Noel Impress
The women faced a slightly shorter version of the event than the men. Athletes pushed the Snail for 60 feet while wearing a 16 lb (7.3 kg) weighted vest and completed one fewer legless rope climb and one fewer standard rope climb. Despite the reduced volume, the combination of rope work, toes to bar, and the heavy sled still created a brutal test of grip endurance and upper body stamina.
As with the men’s event, athletes carefully managed their grip by breaking the toes to bar into smaller sets, knowing that overextending early could prove costly later in the workout.
Heat 1
The opening heat featured Chloe Domit, Madeline Raptis, Lydia Fish, Sydney Wade, Olivia Noel, Niamh McGonigle, Alexis Greer, Hannah Black, and Linda Folo.
Domit looked particularly strong on the legless rope climbs, while most of the field deliberately split their toes to bar into manageable sets to preserve their grip. Olivia Noel, who is coached by CrossFit Games team veteran and champion Adrian Conway, executed an intelligent race from start to finish.
Lydia Fish visibly struggled with what appeared to be an ankle injury but continued to battle through the workout.
Noel claimed the heat victory in 5:55.60, using consistently small sets on the toes to bar to keep moving efficiently throughout the event. Hannah Black was unable to finish before the time cap.
Heat 2
The second heat featured Jennifer Wilkinson, Siria Meha, Danielle Brandon, Paige Rodgers, Mathilde Garnes, Annie Thorisdottir Bjornsdottir, Carolyne Cheverie, and Linda von Rohr.
Danielle Brandon entered the event after suffering a heavy crash during Wednesday’s bike race, where she was knocked down and run over by another athlete. Despite that setback, she attacked Event 8 from the opening whistle and was the first athlete to reach the Snail.
As the race developed, Brandon and Rodgers pulled away from the rest of the field. The pair traded the lead through the rope climbs before Rodgers moved back in front heading into the final Snail push. She reached the sled roughly 45 seconds ahead of the pace set by Heat 1 winner Olivia Noel.
Rodgers powered to the fastest time of the day so far, winning the heat in 5:08.73. Brandon finished second, while Kyra Milligan rounded out the top three.
Heat 3
The final heat featured Lucy Campbell, Aimee Cringle, Madeline Sturt, Arielle Loewen, Alex Gazan, Haley Adams, Elisa Fuliano, Ellie Turner, and Emma Lawson.
Gazan immediately established herself as the athlete to beat. She was the fastest competitor to complete the opening Snail section and never appeared under pressure. Known for her exceptional upper body strength, Gazan has a reported 270 lb (122.5 kg) bench press, and that power was evident throughout the workout.
As the leaders moved onto the toes to bar, Madeline Sturt and Aimee Cringle remained within striking distance, but Gazan never looked flustered. She maintained her composure through every transition before extending her advantage over the closing stages.
Gazan crossed the finish line in 4:55.22 to win the event, securing her second event victory of the 2026 CrossFit Games. Her first event win had come earlier in the week on Wednesday, continuing an outstanding performance in San Jose.
