Bellingham Spring 2024

Sameer Aggarwal closed out Bellingham Spring 2024 by capturing the 3x3x3 Cube title with a blistering 6.39 winning average, setting the standard on a packed day of solving at Western Washington University. Across three tense rounds in the marquee Rubik's Cube category, Aggarwal kept his composure at the table, topping the podium over runner-up Max Siauw and third-place finisher Ethan Rusnak. The decisive final was the centerpiece of a full schedule that drew 66 competitors to Bellingham, Washington, USA on June 1, 2024.

The single-day tournament wasted no time testing solvers across a diverse slate of disciplines. With ten rounds spanning six distinct events, the schedule demanded quick adjustments between mechanical variants and mental formats. Before the main event reached its climax, specialists traded podium positions in both speed and accuracy tests, creating an energetic pace across the floor. Speedcubing enthusiasts gathered to watch local contenders and visiting Canadian challengers battle across every round from morning to late afternoon.

Early in the morning schedule, blindfolded solving set a technical tone. Memorisation and execution without sight remain among the steepest challenges in speed cubing, and Ethan Davis proved masterful in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded discipline. Davis took the event victory with a standout 23.75 winning average, also posting the single fastest mark of the field at 21.04. Kevin Matthews secured the second step on the podium with a 37.24 average, while Ethan Rusnak earned third place in 1:25.65.

Davis maintained that winning momentum when the tournament transitioned to the Megaminx. Navigating the twelve-sided puzzle with fluid turns, Davis topped the 32-competitor bracket with an average of 34.29, which featured a single solve of 29.98. Max Siauw claimed the silver spot with a solid 48.03 average, and Cindy Zhang rounded out the podium in third place at 52.71, giving Davis his second gold-medal performance of the competition.

Beyond the title hunts, the tournament served as an important milestone for competitors building experience on the official stage. Marlo Petrola delivered remarkable leaps in efficiency across multiple puzzles, trimming a personal best in the 5x5x5 Cube down to 2:26.58 to finish 32.4 percent faster than ever before, while also taking 25.4 percent off a Square-1 best with a 27.66 solve. Christie Scollon achieved a dramatic breakthrough in the classic 3x3x3 Cube, posting a mark of 49.20 that improved upon a previous best by 32.1 percent. Daniel Ulmer also made immense strides, logging an 18.27 personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube, which stood 30.9 percent faster than previous marks, while also registering a first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube with a 3:44.92 result. Aarnav Krunal Doshi shaved 22.8 percent from an existing standard to set a 3x3x3 Cube best of 21.82, alongside logging a first ever attempt at Megaminx in 3:52.86.

First-time steps into new disciplines highlighted the depth of the event. Liv Coverdale tackled six events throughout the day and notched a 1:33.31 personal best in Megaminx, improving by 19.3 percent. Maximo Boley made an official debut at this WCA competition, recording a first ever attempt at Skewb in 9.90 and a 24.40 in the 3x3x3 Cube. Laith El-Sharo also attended a first tournament, logging a first ever attempt at Square-1 with a time of 1:38.52 alongside a 20.74 in the 3x3x3 Cube. Sam McGough stepped up to five different events, logging a first ever attempt at Skewb in 12.75, a 3:09.44 on Megaminx, and a 3:49.48 in the 5x5x5 Cube.

Midday big-cube action kept the competition moving as 39 entrants stepped forward for the 5x5x5 Cube. Max Siauw delivered a commanding performance to secure the top spot on the podium, posting a winning average of 50.19 and a best single time of 44.70. Sameer Aggarwal followed in second place with a 55.73 average, while Jack Anderson finished third with an average of 58.28 in the one-round battle.

Side events offered no shortage of drama in the afternoon. In Skewb, Kevin Lê captured victory with a 3.37 average, edging Ash Black who logged a 3.49 average for second, and Eli Kirk who took third at 3.94. In Square-1, Sameer Aggarwal picked up another win, registering a 6.38 winning average and a 5.12 single to lead Aiden Bartlett in second at 6.87 and Max Siauw in third at 7.50.

The tournament wrapped up as the third round of the 3x3x3 Cube decided the final placements. Sameer Aggarwal sealed the premier title with his 6.39 average, while Max Siauw finished just behind with a 6.56 average and Ethan Rusnak took third with a 7.56 mark. The 3x3 results across the board demonstrated remarkable depth across the Pacific Northwest scene. When the day concluded, USA competitors had collected 14 podium places alongside four by Canadian solvers, bringing Bellingham Spring 2024 to an unforgettable finish.