Cubes Canes & Joy Vegas 2024

Ninety-one competitors assembled on December 8, 2024, at Twitchell Elementary School for a high-intensity single-day program comprising 11 rounds across six distinct disciplines. The gathering in Henderson, Nevada, USA, offered a packed schedule for puzzle enthusiasts across the region. From the earliest morning matches to the late-afternoon finals, the cubing competition moved through each bracket with sharp execution. Solvers took to the tables for a full slate of speedcubing events, testing their skills on everything from standard twisty puzzles to specialty formats.

The morning began with preliminary heats in the classic Rubik's Cube, which drew an event-high 90 entrants. Aaron Huynh set the standard across three full rounds of play, eventually clinching the main title with a winning 7.29 average in the finals alongside a day-best single of 4.52 seconds. Sree Dacharla of India earned the runner-up spot on the podium with an 8.58 average, while Michael Larsen completed the top three with an 8.89 mark. The 3x3 results confirmed Huynh as the standout performer of the classic discipline.

Huynh continued his commanding form as the schedule transitioned into the Pyraminx bracket. Navigating two rounds against a 61-competitor field, he secured his second gold of the day with a 3.51 winning average and a sharp 2.24 single. Preston Schwartz followed closely in second place with a 4.35 average, while Andrew Soberano took third with a 5.41 average. Huynh almost pulled off a triple-crown effort later in the afternoon during 3x3x3 One-Handed, but settled for second place with a 14.06 average.

The one-handed event belonged to Dylan Govic, who delivered the decisive solves across two rounds of 49 competitors. Govic secured first place with a 12.36 winning average and an impressive 10.79 single attempt. Behind Govic and Huynh, Anthony J. Telford took the third podium step with a 14.70 average. The single-handed discipline required exceptional dexterity, providing one of the most technically demanding highlights of the afternoon timetable.

Midday action also brought rapid-fire turns in the 2x2x2 Cube event, where 81 competitors battled through two fast-paced rounds. Cy Hamilton captured the victory with a 2.45 winning average, highlighted by a best single of 2.07 seconds. Kevin Acevedo earned the second spot on the podium with a 2.87 average, edging out Michael Larsen who finished third with a 3.02 mark. The short format left virtually no margin for error, setting a lively tempo inside the gymnasium.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the tournament produced a surge of personal breakthroughs and new milestones across the floor. Alexander La Forge took on five events, earning a 23rd place finish in Square-1, while making his first ever attempts at 3x3x3 One-Handed with 1:04.59 and Square-1 with 1:02.50, alongside a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 5.74 that was 48.3 percent faster than before. Eugene Lennon Dela Cruz contested six events, registering his first attempts in Square-1 at 44.46 and Clock at 28.85, while cutting his one-handed mark by 29.5 percent down to 27.42. David Moreno also entered six events, logging first attempts in Square-1 with 1:41.92 and Clock with 21.01, and improving his one-handed best to 25.75. Alex Feng tackled five events, trying Clock for the first time with a 32.50, improving his 2x2x2 best by 37.8 percent to 2.86, and slicing his one-handed mark by 21.4 percent to 25.58.

The progress continued through the ranks as Owen Allred entered five events, recording his first Square-1 solve at 44.89, cutting his 2x2x2 best by 36.4 percent to 2.32, and dropping his one-handed personal record by 24.8 percent to 29.49. Sam Allred took on three disciplines and logged three personal bests, cutting his 2x2x2 mark by 50.7 percent to 6.81, his Pyraminx time by 23.8 percent to 8.07, and his 3x3x3 time by 23 percent to 26.78. Jackson Emmons recorded first attempts in Pyraminx at 9.24 and 2x2x2 Cube at 6.28 while dropping his 3x3x3 record to 20.45. Tyler Hendrickson completed his first WCA competition by entering five events, earning a 31st place finish in Clock with a first attempt of 21.68, alongside debut marks of 4.55 in 2x2x2 Cube and 8.33 in Pyraminx.

As the schedule neared its final stages, the specialty single-round events produced tightly contested battles. In the Clock event, Chris Martin secured victory among 42 competitors with a 7.37 average and a 6.16 single, narrowly holding off Preston Schwartz who finished second at 7.44, with Alexander Lizardo taking third at 8.15. Square-1 concluded with Michael Larsen capturing the win against 26 entrants, posting a 13.83 average and 12.24 single to lead Jaden Thompson in second with 18.05 and Cary Huang in third with 18.80.

The single-day program concluded having delivered a full spectrum of speed cubing excellence across 11 rounds. United States competitors secured 17 podium spots alongside one podium for India. With multiple event victories, widespread personal bests, and extensive participation across all disciplines, Cubes Canes & Joy Vegas 2024 closed out the 2024 calendar with distinction for the regional solving community.