Denver Dash 2024

Thirty-three competitors converged on the Washington Street Community Center on December 9, 2024, answering the call of speedcubing in the Mile High City. Solvers traveled from across the host nation and well beyond its borders, with international representation reaching as far as Singapore and Poland. They assembled in Denver, Colorado, USA, to contest five events across six dynamic rounds of play. Denver Dash 2024 packed an immense range of solving formats into a single day, from rapid sprints to deep-focus big cubes.

The traditional Rubik's Cube headliner featured 32 competitors across two rounds, delivering standout 3x3 results by the afternoon conclusion. Jacob Nokes produced a clinical display in the final, securing first place with a winning average of 7.17 seconds after logging a best single of 6.14. Kaemon Vita took second place on the podium with an average of 9.17 seconds, while Evan Wilson claimed third with 9.55 seconds. The contest demonstrated the high standard of regional speed cubing as finalists pushed through tight margins under the spotlight.

Jacob Nokes extended his golden form directly into the largest puzzle of the meeting, capturing top honors in the 6x6x6 Cube. Across a field of 21 solvers, Nokes put together an unrivaled winning average of 1:33.31, anchored by a best single of 1:28.69. Raymos Castillo secured the runner-up position with a mark of 1:45.33, while Junior Solis joined the top three in third place with an average of 2:25.57. The demanding event tested stamina and spatial awareness, rewarding precise execution on the larger hardware.

The 2x2x2 Cube sprint showcased electric pacing, where Jude Doland led 31 entrants with an unmatched winning average of 1.65 seconds alongside a best single of 1.59 seconds. Kian Cline earned second place with a final average of 3.09 seconds, while Jacob Nokes collected his third podium finish of the day by taking third in 3.35 seconds. The compact puzzle allowed zero margin for hesitation, setting a relentless tempo as solvers raced through their solves in mere blinks.

Beyond the headline tables, the gathering reflected substantial personal milestones across the community roster. Hayden Coffing made massive leaps, cutting a personal best in 2x2x2 Cube by 64.5 percent down to 2.60 seconds, lowering a 3x3x3 Cube best by 51.5 percent to 11.48 seconds, and logging a first attempt in 6x6x6 Cube at 4:10.19. Cameron McCallum trimmed a 2x2x2 Cube best by 68.6 percent to 2.10 seconds, while Andrew Kobilan took on four events, registering a first Clock attempt of 20.12 seconds and a first 6x6x6 Cube effort of 6:56.13. Fynn Lighthouse also took on four events, completing debut attempts in 2x2x2 Cube in 5.60 seconds and 6x6x6 Cube in 3:00.12.

Dorothy Ho represented Singapore across four events, securing a best finish of ninth in 3x3x3 Blindfolded while dropping a 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 44.4 percent to 4.14 seconds. Noah Wakefield entered five events, slicing 36.4 percent off a 3x3x3 Blindfolded mark with a 2:26.39 best single and finishing fourth in 3x3x3 Cube. Easton David Bobo made a WCA competition debut across two events, recording a first 3x3x3 Cube attempt of 49.94 seconds alongside a first 2x2x2 Cube mark of 2.59 seconds. Ki-Joon Chapman-Ramos also tackled a first official appearance, achieving seventh place in 2x2x2 Cube with a 3.63 single and a 4.05 average.

Precision mechanics took center stage in the Clock event, bringing an international duel among 23 competitors. Kaemon Vita earned the victory with a tight winning average of 4.52 seconds, backed by a tournament-best single of 3.06 seconds. Poland's Jakub Turczyk pushed closely behind to finish second with a 4.66 average, representing Poland on the podium alongside fourteen podium finishes by solvers from the United States. Kian Cline collected third place with an average of 6.06 seconds.

The day concluded with the mental rigors of 3x3x3 Blindfolded, where competitors relied on pure memorization before lowering their blindfolds. Jason Hammerman mastered the 16-person bracket, taking first place with an impressive winning average of 1:15.26 and a best single of 1:02.26. Jude Doland followed in second place with an average of 1:29.22, while Preston Hoing captured third place in 1:49.01. The clean blindfolded solves closed out an action-packed cubing competition, leaving the Denver community energized for the next competitive season ahead.