Cubes Tranchés à Québec AM 2026

A blistering 0.55-second national record single by William Lavoie in the 2x2x2 Cube set an extraordinary tone at Cubes Tranchés à Québec AM 2026. The Canadian speedcubing standout dismantled the short format puzzle, pairing that historic single with a dominant 1.27 winning average across two rounds of play. Held at the Pavillon Charles De-Koninck in Québec, Quebec, Canada on January 3, 2026, the focused gathering brought 13 competitors together for a high-intensity slate of 3 events and 5 total rounds of competition.

While the standard puzzle often commands the spotlight, this cubing competition gave specialist disciplines room to shine. The 3x3x3 One-Handed event tested the physical dexterity of seven contenders across a single demanding round. Charles Amarello of the United States mastered the single-handed style, capturing the victory with a 12.88 winning average and an event-best single of 12.66. His control over the asymmetric turns demonstrated the deep technical discipline required when solving without the support of a second hand.

Behind Amarello in the one-handed contest, William Lavoie took second place on the podium with a 16.70 average, while Philémon Robert secured third with an average of 23.19. That single-handed showdown highlighted how non-standard categories demand unique fingertrick adaptations and heightened spatial awareness. The specialized format proved to be one of the most compelling battles on the schedule, setting up a competitive dynamic that carried through the rest of the day across every puzzle on offer.

In the 2x2x2 Cube, Lavoie continued his masterclass after delivering the Canadian national record single of 0.55 earlier in the event. In the final round, Lavoie locked up the title with his 1.27 winning average, followed by Amarello in second place with a 3.04 average and Robert in third with 5.70. The rapid-fire nature of the event left no room for hesitation, rewarding those who could inspect the scramble and plan complete solutions before making their opening move.

Beyond the podium battles, several competitors achieved meaningful milestones that enriched the competition experience. Enzo Paniagua took on 3 events and achieved a best finish of 4th in 3x3x3 One-Handed, dropping his 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 3.06 to go 45 percent faster, while lowering his one-handed mark to 25.59 for a 6.9 percent improvement. Bilal El Rawas tackled 3 events, placing 4th in the 3x3x3 Cube with a personal best of 13.95 that was 10.5 percent faster, alongside a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed at 47.19 and a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube at 8.01. Pierre-Luc Beaudoin entered 3 events and claimed a best finish of 5th in the 3x3x3 Cube, while Carl-William Tardif marked his first WCA competition across 3 events, taking 7th in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a first ever attempt of 1:52.42 alongside initial marks of 35.97 on the standard cube and 11.34 on the 2x2x2 Cube.

The wave of personal firsts continued across the roster as new solvers entered the arena. Suzie Dufour took part in her first WCA competition across 2 events, logging a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 1:51.70 and a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube of 36.44. Simon Vallée also made his debut across 2 events, notching a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube of 8.52 and a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 49.37. Jules Leclerc completed a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 51.42 in his tournament debut, while Samuel Atallah recorded a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 1:03.79, showcasing the quiet progression unfolding behind the official rankings.

The traditional 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube brought two competitive rounds to determine the day's standard puzzle supremacy. Charles Amarello earned his second title of the event by topping the 3x3 results with a 7.49 winning average and the best single of the weekend at 6.28. Philémon Robert claimed the runner-up spot with an average of 10.18, edging William Lavoie, who completed the top three with an average of 10.57, in a high-speed demonstration of classic speed cubing efficiency.

Across the entire program at Cubes Tranchés à Québec AM 2026, the podium distribution reflected fierce international rivalry, with Canada collecting 6 podium places and the United States earning 3. From record-setting sprints in the smallest puzzle to the mechanical rigors of one-handed turning, the single-day event delivered exceptional depth and set a high competitive standard for the Canadian cubing community in the 2026 season.