Bumpy start at the Wodapalooza Festival
The 2025 season began with a challenge for Aline Wirz, a top CrossFit athlete from Biel. Things didn't go as planned at the renowned TYR Wodapalooza Festival in Miami (January 23–26). In the elite individual competition, Aline ended up in 37th place on the leaderboard (and 16th in the team competition) – a result that fell short of her own expectations. This disappointment gnawed at her and put the focused athlete to the mental test. But anyone who knows Aline knows that giving up is not in her vocabulary. Her fighting spirit remained unbroken.
Brilliant performance at the CrossFit Open
Just a few weeks later, Aline's big moment arrived. At the global CrossFit Open 2025 at the end of March, she impressively demonstrated her capabilities. In the three-workout competition, she achieved 8th place worldwide on the leaderboard – an absolutely top ranking that established her among the elite of the CrossFit world. This brilliant achievement is all the more remarkable because Aline was struggling with back problems shortly before the end of the Open. She sustained the injury at the beginning of March, but Aline gritted her teeth and completed the final Open workout. Immediately afterwards, however, she demonstrated clever self-care: she deliberately took a step back in training to give her back injury the rest and recovery it needed. Thanks to this focused recovery break, her back was already feeling significantly better by mid-April – Aline was ready for the next challenge, even though caution remained her top priority.
Setbacks on the way to the Games
At the beginning of May, the next big goal was approaching: the CrossFit Semifinals in Europe. Aline delivered another strong performance there. She finished 31st on the leaderboard among the best athletes—a respectable placement, but not enough to secure a ticket to the CrossFit Games. The competition was fierce , and Aline initially missed out on direct entry to the CrossFit World Finals. But the season wasn't over yet, and Aline persevered.
A true rollercoaster of emotions followed in June . First, Aline competed in the French Throwdown in Montpellier – one of the last high-profile qualifying competitions for the 2025 CrossFit Games. There, she once again demonstrated her skills, fighting her way to an excellent 4th place on the leaderboard . This narrowly missed qualifying for the Games – only the top 3 finishers in this event received the coveted tickets to the CrossFit Games in Madison. In the end, Aline was just a few points away from a qualifying spot, a true "what if?" moment of her season.
"Of course, the disappointment right after the competition was huge. When you're so close, it hurts. But above all, I'm taking the positives with me: I know I can compete with the best. That gives me enormous confidence for everything that comes next," Aline commented on the close decision.
But instead of letting her head hang, Aline seized her very last chance shortly afterwards: the Last Chance Qualifier in mid-June. In this online competition, which offers those who narrowly missed out a final opportunity to secure a Games spot, Aline once again demonstrated her world class skills. After five intensive workouts, she finished third on the leaderboard . But again, luck was not quite on her side – only the first-place finisher received the final Games ticket, and Aline once again came away empty-handed. These narrow misses in two consecutive qualification competitions were naturally bitter. In so many moments throughout the season, Aline was so close – moments when you inevitably start to wonder what might have been possible with a little more luck.
Unbroken will and outlook
What sets Aline Wirz apart, however, is her unwavering willpower and passion. Instead of letting setbacks discourage her, she draws new motivation from them. Her motto now is: Now more than ever! Every narrowly missed success has only fueled her fire. Aline is eager to train even harder and finally achieve her ultimate goal—participation in the CrossFit Games—in the next attempt. Her focused nature, fighting spirit, and ability to bounce back stronger after defeats are an inspiration to us all.
We at cross equip are proud to be able to support Aline on her journey. As a sponsor, we witness firsthand how she continues to develop and never gives up. This season was intense, both athletically and emotionally, but it showed Aline's potential – and that she is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the future.
This weekend Aline will be back full of energy: At The Affiliates Battle from July 4th to 6th in Nîmes, France, she will be competing in the elite women's category for the leaderboard .
We keep our fingers crossed for her and wish her much success.
Good luck, Aline – show everyone what you’re passionate about!
