Ready to Run: Kristin Holte
Written by Jaimie Bougie
Last year, Invictus Athlete Kristin did the unexpected – she beat out the reigning champ, Sam Briggs, by just six points to claim the 3rd place spot at the Europe Regionals, earning her first trip to the CrossFit Games.
A freak accident almost kept Kristin from her rookie year at the Games. In December of 2013, just a few months before the 2014 Open season was to start, Kristin was hospitalized after a stray acupuncture needle caused a punctured lung. After recovering, she made it her goal to perform better than she had ever done before if she wanted to stand a chance at Regionals – and the dedication paid off.
Kristin, 29, hails from the Scandinavian capital of Oslo, Norway, which is known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” and is home to the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony. Not only does she have the beauty and the brawn but she also has the brains; after competing at the CrossFit Games last year, Kristin went on to complete her Masters thesis and graduated with a degree in Clinical Nutrition.
Growing up, Kristin played a variety of sports that contributed to the skills and engine that she has today; if a sport required endurance, there’s a good chance that Kristin was playing it. Kristin started gymnastics at the young age of six and track and field at the age of 11. She then went on to play soccer (where she was captain of the boys team), compete in triathlons and cross country skiing, and became a national pole vaulting champion and competed on the Norwegian heptathlon team.
With such an extensive endurance background, it is no surprise that Kristin smoked the competition at the Games last year to win the “Triple 3s” event, which required athletes to row 3,000 meters, followed by 300 double-unders, and finishing with a three-mile run.
“With my endurance background, I was able to sustain the same speed for a long time. So when I got to the run, I knew I would be able to keep the pace with the other girls,” said Kristin.
This year, Kristin once again dominated the leaderboard, placing in the top six for five of the six Open workouts, earning a third place finish overall. Kristin then went on to place in the top four in five events at the 2015 Meridian Regional, which included both Europe and Africa in this year’s Super Regional format, and earning her second consecutive trip to the CrossFit Games.
When I asked Kristin what event she wanted to see at this year’s Games, it’s no surprise that she picked an event that includes a fair amount of running.
“I love that “Murph” is one of our events because it’s one of my favorites!”
With her rookie year behind her, Kristin is looking forward to proving herself against the top women in the world without all of last year’s nerves.
“Last year was my first time, and I was just there to explore and get the experience. But this year, I feel a lot more confident; I know what I can perform and what I can do, so I’m not as nervous as last year for the events,” said Kristin. “I think I will have even more fun this year. I was able to enjoy it last year but this year will be even better!”
Kristin is proud to be a part of the Invictus family and the Sea of Green looks forward to cheering her on in Carson!
Fun Facts about Kristin
– She is a nutritionist who loves Norwegian candy
– When she was in elementary school and the teachers asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer was “World Champion!”
– Her father competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo in Cross Country Skiing