Albany Summer Solving 2025

Lachlan Stephens delivered an exceptional showing in Albany by sweeping both traditional twisty puzzles, capturing the 3x3x3 Cube crown with an average of 7.23 seconds alongside a dominant 2.23 winning mark in the 2x2x2 Cube. The performance set the standard for a packed single-day schedule that brought regional talent together under one roof. Beyond the medals, the gathering highlighted the enduring appeal of the sport across Western Australia, drawing a dedicated group of competitors eager to test their skills and connect over shared passions.

Hosted at the Albany Church of Christ on January 25, 2025, Albany Summer Solving 2025 gathered 25 competitors for 11 rounds of action across five distinct events. The coastal setting of Albany, Western Australia, Australia provided the ideal backdrop for a weekend defined as much by camaraderie as by fierce table races. In between rounds, competitors analyzed solves, swapped techniques, and supported one another from the opening scrambles all the way through to the final stages.

The atmosphere reflected the social fabric of modern speedcubing, where side events and casual practice sessions often draw as much energy as the finals. Enthusiasts gathered around practice mats between calls, sharing algorithms and encouraging newcomers taking their very first official solves. Whether tackling the complex geometries of the Pyraminx or the brute discipline of larger cubes, the day balanced determined focus with genuine community warmth.

In the main event, Stephens led a strong field through three rounds of 3x3 results, posting a best single of 6.48 seconds on his path to gold. Tyler Williams finished as the runner-up with an average of 8.87 seconds, while Amy Smith rounded out the podium in third place at 9.52 seconds. Stephens also took top honors on the smaller 2x2x2 Cube with a 2.23 average, followed closely by Williams with 2.57 and Smith with 3.00, demonstrating tight battles near the top of the standings.

A major highlight of the cubing competition was the progression seen throughout the field, where dedicated solvers achieved remarkable milestones far beyond the podium. Alexander Bohn made massive strides on the classic Rubik's Cube, recording a personal best single of 22.85 seconds to cut 57.8 percent off his prior benchmark. Paul Foster achieved a 57.6 percent improvement on the 2x2x2 Cube with a time of 7.30 seconds and set a 3x3x3 personal best of 39.82 seconds while tackling four events. Cooper Harvey also made major gains, entering four events and setting a 3x3x3 best of 24.73 seconds, a 17.9 percent drop, alongside his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 2:04.49. Meanwhile, Josiah L. Harvey delivered an impressive 2.20 personal best on the 2x2x2 Cube to finish fourth and logged his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Blindfolded, clocking 2:44.61.

Other competitors similarly embraced new disciplines and sharp time drops during the WCA competition. Sebastian Bock took on five events and posted his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a time of 3:43.85 while securing a 44.28 personal best on the 4x4x4 Cube. George Pedigo achieved a personal best single of 9.58 seconds on the 3x3x3 Cube, improving by 19.8 percent, and added a 47.09 mark on the 4x4x4 Cube. Linggeswaran Manimaran knocked 15.2 percent off his Pyraminx record with a time of 10.85 seconds, and Lachlan Manson improved his 4x4x4 Cube best by 15.2 percent to 1:11.50 across five events.

The larger cubes and alternate formats provided plenty of excitement across the venue. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Jaxon Foster secured the victory with a 32.79 average and an event-best single of 28.26 seconds, holding off Stephens, who took second with 36.23, and Regan Roberts, who earned third with 37.08. The Pyraminx division saw Joel Harrop claim first place with a solid 4.06 average, edging out Smith at 4.17 and Lucius Leong at 5.54 in a tense two-round bracket.

Mental discipline took center stage in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded contest, where Amy Smith secured victory with an average of 48.73 seconds and a best single of 36.36. Foster earned silver with a time of 1:07.61, while Declan Sander captured bronze with 1:11.61. The blindfolded discipline requires memorisation before executing turns without sight, making Smith's sub-minute consistency a standout accomplishment in the venue.

As the final timers stopped, the event stood as a celebration of growth and community for speed cubing in Western Australia. All 15 podium positions went to Australian competitors, reflecting the depth of talent emerging from the region in 2025. With new personal marks achieved across every round and strong bonds reinforced among competitors, the participants left the Albany Church of Christ looking ahead to the continuing evolution of the regional circuit.