Claret Open Montevideo 2026

Inside Espacio Claret, the solving stations stayed in constant motion as timers reset across a wide spectrum of mechanical disciplines. Tables transitioned rapidly from the compact geometry of the smaller puzzles to the intricate hardware of high-order cubes and the distinct click of geared mechanisms. Competitors and spectators gathered around the stage throughout the single-day gathering, observing everything from lightning-quick turns on specialized gear to long, methodical center builds on big cubes. The environment in Montevideo, Uruguay captured the breadth of modern puzzle racing as solvers tackled seven distinct challenges across eight scheduled rounds.

The Claret Open Montevideo 2026 assembled 36 competitors on January 31, 2026, putting an emphasis on multi-event versatility. Rather than centering entirely on a single discipline, the timetable moved between four traditional layered cubes and three specialty twisty formats. The comprehensive roster required participants to shift grip styles, finger tricks, and mental approaches repeatedly over the course of the day. As a full-fledged WCA competition, the event offered seasoned local contenders and newcomers alike the chance to test their skills across an expansive cubing competition program.

Traditional speedcubing culminated in the 3x3x3 Cube, where all 36 participants took to the tables across two rounds of intense solving. Víctor Gálvez secured top honors with a winning average of 9.41 seconds, backed by a best single solve of 8.72 seconds. Gálvez held off a close challenge from Rodrigo Burone, who took the runner-up position with a 9.59 average, while Irene Pinto completed the podium with a mark of 10.18. These decisive 3x3 results capped a full afternoon of layered solving on the standard Rubik's Cube.

Beyond the main event, big cube mastery played a prominent role in the day's proceedings. Víctor Gálvez added two more titles to his ledger by dominating the high-order events. In the 4x4x4 Cube final, Gálvez recorded a winning average of 32.60 seconds alongside a best single of 29.94 to lead Rodrigo Burone at 37.28 and Irene Pinto at 39.41. Gálvez extended his control into the 5x5x5 Cube, producing a winning average of 1:02.31 and a single of 56.14, outperforming Pinto's 1:17.57 and Burone's 1:17.76.

The competition roster also delivered fast-paced action on specialty and smaller formats, proving how diverse speed cubing can be. Santiago Cabral took the 2x2x2 Cube title with an average of 2.70 seconds and a best single of 2.23, finishing ahead of Martín Kurt Bethencourt Diaz at 3.57 and Mateo Damian Coitinho Gabarain at 3.65. Cabral followed that success by capturing the Square-1 crown with an 11.36 average, while Sebastiano Benato seized the Pyraminx title with a sharp 2.82 average and a 1.39 single. In Clock, Mateo de León stood atop the podium with a winning 3.91 average.

Away from the top steps of the podium, Claret Open Montevideo 2026 featured a wave of major personal improvements throughout the bracket. Tamara Romero cut her 2x2x2 Cube personal record down to 5.29 seconds, an improvement of 51.4 percent over her previous best, while also recording a first attempt of 28.57 on the standard cube. Lucas Vigano Asska made a first career appearance in 2x2x2 Cube with a 13.68 single, dropped his Pyraminx personal best by 44.8 percent to 9.47, and trimmed his 3x3x3 Cube time by 7.4 percent down to 1:00.38. Felipe Ortiz lowered his 3x3x3 Cube best to 28.82, a 31.5 percent drop, and improved his Pyraminx time by 12.3 percent to 11.80. Endrick Javier Sánchez Cedeño delivered a 4x4x4 Cube personal best of 55.36 seconds, which was 28.1 percent faster than his prior mark, and chipped his 3x3x3 Cube time down to 12.49.

The depth of progress continued across multiple events as solvers expanded their competitive experience. Lucas Barrientos entered six events at the venue, delivering a personal best of 2:25.23 in the 5x5x5 Cube to improve by 21.3 percent, alongside a 2.62 in 2x2x2 Cube that was 12.4 percent faster. Emiliano Sampayo registered his first competitive attempt in 2x2x2 Cube with a 2.29 solve and lowered his 3x3x3 Cube record by 13.7 percent to 15.94. First-time tournament competitors also embraced the challenge, as Alexander Piazza completed four events while logging first marks of 10.85 in 2x2x2 Cube, 52.04 in 3x3x3 Cube, and 51.37 in Clock. Mateo Barbaro took on four disciplines in his debut appearance, posting first attempts of 3:10.45 in 5x5x5 Cube, 1:57.36 in 4x4x4 Cube, and 30.96 in the 3x3x3 Cube.

With 21 podium places secured by competitors representing the host nation, the gathering showcased the strength and balance of the Uruguayan circuit. From the complex hardware of the Clock to the rapid rotations of the Pyraminx and the endurance required for the 5x5x5 Cube, the tournament tested every facet of mechanical problem solving. Claret Open Montevideo 2026 concluded as a well-rounded demonstration of versatility, setting a solid benchmark for the region as competitors prepare for the remainder of the 2026 calendar.