Brilliant Ballarat 2024

Jode Brewster delivered a commanding performance across the weekend, claiming the main 3x3x3 Cube title with an average of 7.16 seconds, supported by a rapid best single of 6.33 seconds. The two-day gathering on March 16 and March 17 gathered 86 competitors at St Patrick's Cathedral Hall in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Across 10 events and 17 rounds, the competition offered a bustling stage for top contenders and eager newcomers alike to test their solving skills on the official timer.

The 3x3 results formed the centerpiece of the program, drawing 78 competitors through three demanding rounds of classic Rubik's Cube solving. Brewster secured the top spot on the podium ahead of Phoenix Patterson, who recorded a runner-up average of 7.35 seconds, while Lennon Hughes earned third place with an average of 8.28 seconds. The tight contest at the summit set the tone for Brilliant Ballarat 2024, highlighting the intense focus required to excel at modern speedcubing.

Brewster was far from finished with a single victory, assembling an exceptional haul across multiple disciplines. Beyond the standard puzzle, Brewster captured first place in the 4x4x4 Cube with a winning average of 29.25 seconds, outpaced the field in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 59.86 average, and added a fourth title in Square-1 by averaging 8.62 seconds. With four distinct victories across the schedule, Brewster proved adaptable across both large cubes and complex shape-shifting puzzles.

The weekend also featured remarkable variety across the alternate formats. Phoenix Patterson took the 2x2x2 Cube crown with an average of 1.50 seconds and a best single of 1.32 seconds, leading a podium that included Brewster in second at 1.60 and Jacob Joshi in third at 2.05. In Pyraminx, Junqi Feng secured victory with an average of 2.28 seconds, while Ziqi Ding claimed the Skewb title with an average of 2.95 seconds. The blindfolded disciplines showcased absolute concentration, as Theodore Chan won the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event with an 18.56 single, and Michael Tripodi swept both the 4x4x4 Blindfolded and 5x5x5 Blindfolded events with times of 1:35.05 and 4:40.16 respectively.

Beyond the trophies, the spirit of this cubing competition came alive through the numerous competitors making their initial strides in official play. Maxwell Dorset achieved a massive personal best in Square-1 of 24.82 seconds, trimming an enormous 56 percent off previous marks, while also improving in 5x5x5 Cube with a 1:39.23. Jesse Oviss took on eight separate events and registered an impressive 1.69 second personal best in the 2x2x2 Cube, alongside a 39.38 second mark in the 4x4x4 Cube. Oscar Sturmfels made a first official attempt at 4x4x4 Cube, posting 1:48.50, and cut 32.1 percent off a previous mark in Pyraminx to finish in 4.93 seconds. Xavier Williams tackled six events, recording a first official attempt in Square-1 of 46.72 seconds and sharpening a 2x2x2 Cube best to 3.71 seconds.

The influx of fresh talent continued to energize Brilliant Ballarat 2024 throughout both days of action. Andrew Dinh took on six events, logging a first official attempt in 5x5x5 Cube at 1:50.21 and delivering a personal best of 41.01 seconds in the 4x4x4 Cube. Lucas Dinh logged a first attempt in 5x5x5 Cube at 1:40.33 while dropping his Pyraminx personal best by over 25 percent down to 4.11 seconds. For Jo To, this was their first WCA competition, successfully logging inaugural official marks in three events including a 17.87 in the 3x3x3 Cube and 4.86 in the 2x2x2 Cube. Harry Sturmfels likewise made their official speed cubing debut at the venue, taking on three events and posting initial marks of 8.27 seconds in 2x2x2 Cube and 12.10 seconds in Pyraminx.

The diverse schedule tested endurance and memory throughout the two days. Blindfolded solving, where competitors must fully memorize the puzzle state before executing solutions unseen, proved demanding across all rounds, yet competitors from Australia, Singapore, and China all claimed podium honors across the various puzzle sizes. The local contingent finished with 24 total podium placements, with international travelers securing three podium spots each for Singapore and China in a true celebration of regional speedcubing.

From debutants entering their very first rounds to seasoned solvers collecting multi-event victories, Brilliant Ballarat 2024 provided a memorable snapshot of the sport in Victoria in 2024. As competitors look ahead to the next season of regional meets, the combination of breakthrough personal milestones and elite winning marks leaves Ballarat on a high note.