BC Spring Solving B 2023

Inside the gymnasium at Walton Elementary School, tables were lined with practice mats, timers, and puzzles of every shape as competitors shared inspection strategies and catching up between calls. The gathering in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada provided an energetic backdrop for 69 speedcubers who came together to test their dexterity. The single-day WCA competition on May 22, 2023 offered nine full rounds across six distinct categories, pairing intense official attempts with the easygoing social atmosphere that defines local speedcubing tournaments.

The main draw of the meet saw Luke Jankowiak deliver a commanding set of performances across the bigger puzzles and the classic Rubik's Cube. Across three rounds of standard play featuring 69 competitors, Jankowiak secured first place with a winning average of 7.60 seconds alongside a best single solve of 7.14 seconds. Michele Cavezza pushed the final round to the wire, taking second place with an average of 7.67 seconds, while Kenny Zhong finished in third place with a 9.07 mark. The official 3x3 results capped an impressive showcase of consistency at the top of the table.

Beyond the premier puzzle, Luke Jankowiak expanded his title collection by sweeping the larger hardware. In the 4x4x4 Cube, which drew 40 competitors across two rounds, Jankowiak captured the win with a 31.89-second average and a best single of 30.21. Michele Cavezza claimed runner-up honors at 33.61 seconds, and Ethan Rusnak placed third with a 35.95 average. Jankowiak completed his triple victory in the 5x5x5 Cube, recording a winning average of 1:12.40 to stay ahead of Noah Stelting at 1:14.39 and Kevin Matthews at 1:14.88.

The side events brought their own distinct challenges to BC Spring Solving B 2023, showcasing specialized problem-solving skills. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Kenny Zhong took the gold with an average of 13.52 seconds, backed by a quick 11.56 single. Noah Stelting finished second with a 14.58 average, while Michele Cavezza collected another podium place in third at 17.20. The specialized discipline of 3x3x3 Blindfolded, demanding total memorization before execution, saw Kevin Matthews top the 11-competitor field with a winning average of 35.94 seconds, ahead of Ethan Rusnak and Allan Wang.

Square-1 action rounded out the side categories with a sharp 16-competitor field. Ethan Rusnak navigated the shape-shifting puzzle to take top honors, posting a winning average of 12.61 seconds and a 10.43 single. Michele Cavezza finished as runner-up with an average of 13.00 seconds, and Daniel Ahokas completed the podium in third with 14.29 seconds. Canadian competitors swept all 18 podium positions across the six events, highlighting the remarkable depth of talent active in the Pacific Northwest speed cubing scene.

While the champions earned their hardware on the top step, the spirit of the day lived in the massive leaps made throughout the broader field. Xuanyu Sun delivered an eye-opening 56 percent drop in the 3x3x3 Cube, bringing a personal best down to 10.44 seconds from 23.71, alongside a 16.9 percent improvement in the 4x4x4 Cube at 51.04. Alana Chan trimmed 32.4 percent off her 3x3x3 One-Handed best to reach 15.33 seconds and finished 10th. Zaylan Spalek cut 28.1 percent off a previous one-handed mark down to 1:17.08, while Avery Post dropped 27.4 percent in Square-1 to hit 38.85 seconds and lowered a standard single to 10.43.

Several competitors also took on unfamiliar challenges for the very first time on the official stage. Tyler Ly logged a first attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube with a 49.75 solve, a first 3x3x3 solve of 14.21, and a 19.1 percent personal best drop in the 5x5x5 Cube to 1:35.27. Alvin Wong took on his first official attempts in both 5x5x5 Cube at 1:45.52 and one-handed at 41.24. Raymond Wang entered his very first official event slate, taking on five disciplines with a best finish of 7th in Square-1 and a 25.07 one-handed solve. Tru Quoc Nguyen made an official debut across four events, logging a 34.13 one-handed attempt and an 11.89 single on the 3x3x3 Cube.

From debut solves to seasoned showdowns, BC Spring Solving B 2023 provided the community with an ideal setting to connect, practice, and celebrate personal milestones. The day closed with participants packing up cubes and comparing notes on scrambles, already sharing plans for the next season of competition.