Step by step through Wenisch’s first world title as he makes it a golden double for Germany following Linda Meier’s victory in the women’s race.
After a pulsating race in Chicago which saw several lead changes Tim Wenisch came out on top. The race started at a rapid clip with James Kelly first into the SkiErg station. He was by no means alone though as four men were within 3 seconds of him – Tim Wenisch, Hunter McIntyre, Rich Ryan and defending champion, Alexander Roncevic.
Hunter McIntyre powered through the SkiErg overtaking both Kelly and Wenisch to move into first place. At this point Wenisch was just a couple of seconds behind and it already looked like the man McIntyre jokingly called ‘Tiny Tim’ at the press conference would be his toughest competition.
[wpcode id=”229888″]By this stage Dylan Scott, the Hybrid Raccoon, was also beginning to make a move. He entered the SkiErg outside of the top 10 but reached the Sled Push in 5th place. The Sled Push then saw a very impressive effort from Rich Ryan, moving from 8th to 3rd, overtaking pre-race favourites like Roncevic and Kelly in the process. The top two remained unchanged however with McIntyre leaving this station 16 seconds ahead of Wenisch.
In what would prove to be a pattern of the race, Wenisch then used the run to gain some ground on McIntyre. He then pulled back another couple of seconds at the Sled Pull and was within three seconds entering the Burpee Broad Jumps. It was already looking like a two-horse race as Roncevic faded slightly and Dylan Scott moved into a podium position.
In the BBJs Hunter flirted with a penalty from the judges but ultimately emerged with an 8-second lead. Wenisch would claw that back in the next run though, entering the 1000 meter row 1 second ahead for his first lead of the race. He would go on to stretch this lead to 8 seconds in the row and with his advantage in the running he was looking very strong.
The leaders were now a lap up on almost the whole field with Dylan Scott clear in third place. The Farmer’s Carry further consolidated Wenisch’s lead as McIntyre had to drop the kettlebells several times before crossing the line.
By now Wenisch was adding a few seconds to his lead in every segment of the race. At the 100 meter Sandbag Lunges he was 30 seconds clear and would maintain that lead going into his last run. Further back James Kelly was rapidly gaining ground having been outside of the top 10 at the start of the Burpee Broad Jumps and was now in 5th place entering the final run.
Wensich pulled away further in the last run to enter the Wall Balls with a massive 40-second lead over McIntyre. Dylan Scott would arrive 35 seconds later with almost a minute between him and Hidde Weersma, the fourth-placed athlete.
Wenisch’s lead was such that he could afford several no-reps and a couple breaks and still be in a strong position. Indeed he was on 20 reps when McIntyre notched his first. He was to need every bit of that advantage as Hunter metronomically closed the gap. With Tim on 64, Hunter was on 50. When Tim reached 75, Hunter was on 66 and it was getting very close.
At 88 reps Tim would take a break. Then again at 94 and 98. Finally he would reach 100 with Hunter on his 98th rep.
Tim Wenisch crossed the line in 53:53 with Hunter McIntyre just 5 seconds behind him for his first world title. Dylan Scott earned his first podium at the World Championships in a time of 54:58 and James Kelly finished fast to come fourth in 55:27.
So disappointment for Hunter McIntyre but like Lauren Weeks in the women’s race he cemented his place as an absolute legend of HYROX with yet another podium finish.
