2022 was CrossFit Olso Navy Blue’s last run at the Games…or so they thought. After finishing in 2nd place behind CrossFit Mayhem Freedom two years ago, 2022 was to be a last hurrah together. A final display of fitness on the big stage. Eivind Dahl Ringard explained, “Nico knew he was going to be a father and his time would be limited, Lena had her mind set on individual, Ingrid wasn’t sure how her body would feel after the season, I was ready to retire if they decided to quit and ready for another season if they decided to go again.”
But in a year with headlines dominated by Mayhem and Reykjavik, the Norwegians came in 2nd place again. So, what now? Nico Billaudel’s growing family and shrinking time, Lena Richter’s personal ambitions and Ingrid Hodnemyr’s injury laden season, Eivind was swinging in the wind waiting to see what would be next. Once the Games was over the team disbanded, took some time off and there was no mention of what was to happen next. “In late September, we decided to sit down and have a little debrief. Going into the meeting none of us were thinking about discussing another season,” Eivind said. “This is too much fun to not do it all over again,” Lena Richter was quick to add.
They would be forgiven for becoming frustrated at the lack of coverage last season. The names on everyone’s lips were Annie and Reykjavik and Rich’s Mayhem Freedom team. The narrative being spun was two legends facing off against each other. Team division is often overlooked as the focus turns towards the culmination of the individual season in Madison and whatever bandwidth there was last season was taken up with talk of a clashing of legacies. Eivind and Oslo were left nonplus by it, “We really do not think about what people think or say about us. To succeed we need to focus on ourselves, maximize performance. We do not do this for fame or the hype but we appreciate getting some recognition when we perform.” Ingrid shone another light on what some extra attention might add, “My family would definitely like to see more of us on screen. They’re only able to watch online from Norway.”
The 2023 season has brought with it a lot of changes for the Team division. Athletes can now register for and compete with a team once they complete each stage of the season in the chosen affiliate that the team will represent, a significant loosening of the restrictions in place last year with minimum hours required to be spent at the affiliate and proof needed to be supplied to the governing body. This relaxing of the regulations has lead to many ‘super teams’ being formed this year. Oslo are a true affiliate team, training together for the last three years now and facing into a season of change to the competitive landscape. “We welcome all competition and it’s more fun if big names enter the team division like Annie and her team last year and Rich Froning over the last several years. We just have to work even harder to make sure that we are better and stronger than ever,” Eivind shared.
They have also decided to implement some changes of their own as Eivind explains, “We have partnered with Kirstin Holte, Joakim Rygh and Kriger Training. They do the team and individual programming and coaching. They provide resources like swimming, strongman and running coaches. This is a huge upgrade and advantage compared to the previous two seasons.” Coupled with this is the fact that they started working with the worm, the Bob and synchronizing their gymnastics much earlier in the season than in previous years and it’s clear that Oslo Navy Blue belong in every conversation surrounding team for the upcoming year.
Eivind’s final thoughts should serve as a warning to other teams preparing for the season ahead, “We will approach the 2023 season like we did in 2022 – but with more experience, confidence and knowing that we can perform. If we do the work now – we will be rewarded in Madison.”
