Showdown in the Desert: World Fitness Project Tour Stop II Storylines You Can’t Miss
The temperature of the World Fitness Project season is rising, both literally and figuratively, as Tour Stop II arrives in Mesa, AZ, this weekend. Tour Stop I in Indianapolis in May set the tone for this inaugural season, and the pressure is mounting as we approach December’s Tour Finals in Copenhagen.
- For some, Mesa offers a chance to build momentum toward a WFP Championship. For others, it’s a must-win opportunity to extend their season.
Let’s explore a few storylines to follow this weekend.
Missing Pros
A number of signed Pro athletes won’t compete at Tour Stop II, which will affect their ability to stay in the top 20 to earn a guaranteed contract for 2026.
- Alex Gazan earned the maximum 500 points in Indy, equivalent to winning the Challenger Division twice. Even with zero points in Mesa, she still has a chance to earn a Pro Card for 2026 with a strong showing in Copenhagen, where the points are doubled.
- Haley Adams withdrew from both Tour Stops, effectively ending her WFP season. She still has the option to compete at the Finals, but she will enter with zero points and no chance of earning a top-20 spot for a 2026 Pro Card.
- Emma McQuaid suffered an injury early in the season and has not been able to participate in the WFP yet. Like Adams, she still has Copenhagen as an option because of her Pro status.
- Jeff Adler announced his withdrawal due to a lingering injury that likely affected his performance at the CrossFit Games. He is currently ranked fourth with 460 points and will have his work cut out for him in the Finals.
With the level of competition in the WFP field and a new wave of Challengers on the rise, all four of these athletes could find themselves on the outside looking in next season. That said, their long-term physical and mental health remains the top priority, far beyond any leaderboard position.
A New Female Winner
Due to Gazan’s withdrawal, there will be a new winner and a new season points leader on the women’s side.
Aimee Cringle and Danielle Brandon stood on the podium with Gazan in Indy, and either of them has a great shot of taking her place in Mesa.
- Laura Horvath will definitely aim to prove she belongs at the top again. Arielle Loewen is known for her consistency and could certainly be among the top contenders. Emma Lawson has spent the past few months rehabilitating her injury and training intentionally, equipping herself with all the tools to become a champion.
Lucy Campbell has to be considered the favorite to win in Mesa, having delivered impressive performances all season, starting with a win at TYR Wodapalooza in January. Her second-place finish at the 2025 CrossFit Games proves she can beat everyone in the WFP field this year.
Can Austin Hatfield Repeat or is Jayson Hopper the Man to Beat?
Fresh off his win at the CrossFit Games, Jayson Hopper certainly has a target on his back.
- He finished third at WFP Tour Stop I, earning 470 points. However, Austin Hatfield is leading the race to become the inaugural WFP Champion with 500 points.
Hatfield demonstrated consistency, with only one out of seven scored events outside the top 10 (19th) and three second-place finishes.
- Also worth noting, James Sprague and Jayson Hopper both stood on the podium at Tour Stop I and the CrossFit Games.
The top talent in the sport will continue to deliver thrilling races in Mesa and beyond. Every second, every rep, and every point matters in the men’s division.
Road to Redemption
Every competition features athletes who either surpass or fall short of their expectations. Sometimes, this is due to injury, as was the case for Emily Rolfe in Indianapolis. Watch for bounce-back performances from:
- Laura Horvath: A threat to win any competition she enters. Horvath was building a comeback in Indianapolis before the final event derailed those plans. Expect a push for the podium this weekend.
- Current rank – Ninth (410 points).
- Ricky Garard: Garard was unexpectedly outside the top 10 in Indy, then proved he still has it with a second-place finish at the CrossFit Games.
- Current rank – 11th (392 points).
- Pat Vellner: Vellner found himself in an unfamiliar situation, being in the first heat on the last day. He will be looking to prove he can still keep up with the young bucks in Mesa.
- Current rank – 23rd (305 points).
- Björgvin Karl Gudmundsson: Like Vellner, BKG has a lot of kilometers on his body, but still has some tread left on the tires.
- Current rank – 26th (290 points).
- Emily Rolfe: An injury forced Rolfe to withdraw after only four events in Indy. If she stays healthy, she remains a top-five contender at age 35.
- Current rank – 27th (285 points).
Rested and Ready
The athletes who did not compete at the CrossFit Games three weeks ago have had more rest and additional time to train specifically for the WFP.
- However, with the Games being shorter and having fewer events than usual, the recovery has been potentially less substantial.
There is also something to be said about competition experience. The more you compete, the more you learn how to do so, but all the stress and travel can take a toll. This season is quickly transforming rookies into pros and pros into seasoned veterans.
Many athletes who will take the floor in Mesa did not compete at the 2025 CrossFit Games.
- In fact, over half of the WFP Pro roster did not compete in Albany – 16 men and 15 women.
In general, the men and women who did compete in Albany also performed better at Tour Stop I.
- The highest finishers of the non-Games athletes were Emma Lawson in sixth place, followed by Laura Horvath in ninth. The highest finish for the men was Noah Ohlsen in 10th place.
Ascending Athletes
The Challenger Division offers athletes a pathway to earn a spot in the finals and secure a Pro Card for the following season.
Several athletes made that leap from Challenger in Indianapolis to the Pro Division in Mesa, earning their place through the July online qualifier.
- On the women’s side, Jennifer Muir, Hannah Black, Elena Carratalá, and Kyra Milligan all leveled up.
Note: Veteran Jamie Simmonds qualified for Tour Stop I but did not compete. She went on to win the online qualifier and will be back in the mix in Arizona. Kyra Milligan also didn’t take the floor in Indianapolis despite qualifying as a Challenger, but she will compete as a Pro Challenger this weekend.
- For the men, Tudor Magda, Ty Jenkins, Jack Farlow, and Julius Kieser all advanced from Challenger to Pro.
Miko Lilleorg only participated in the second qualifier but did enough to earn his place in the Pro Division for Tour Stop II.
The Bottom Line
As the World Fitness Project rolls into Mesa, the inaugural season’s stories are taking shape. The favorites are battling it out at the top, challengers are stepping into the limelight, and seasoned veterans are looking to redeem themselves.
Tune in to the action this weekend.
Featured image: Scott Freymond
