Festive Mini-sota 2024

Ten competitors gathered in Maplewood, Minnesota, USA on December 23, 2024, to take on the meticulous challenge of 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Rather than racing the stopwatch in tenths of a second, participants at Festive Mini-sota 2024 were tasked with finding the most efficient solutions possible across a single, highly focused round. The event brought together both seasoned figures and rising talents looking to sharpen their analytical skills at the end of the year, testing their deep understanding of the standard Rubik's Cube under strict competition conditions.

Young competitors in modern speedcubing continue to demonstrate how rapidly analytical techniques can be learned and mastered. With extensive resources and systematic approaches now accessible across the speed cubing community, newer participants are turning efficiency into a core discipline early in their competitive careers. Festive Mini-sota 2024 provided a stage where young solvers and experienced hands alike could test innovative blockbuilding and insertion methods, proving that deliberate calculation is evolving just as swiftly as turn speed across the national circuit.

Evan Brown captured first place on the podium with an outstanding winning average of 24.33 moves, complemented by a round-best single solution of 23 moves. Throughout the round, Brown demonstrated sharp efficiency across all three attempts to lead the pack. His steady sequence of tight solutions kept him ahead of the field from start to finish, earning him the outright victory in the lone event staged at RCL – Maplewood.

The remaining podium positions were decided by exceptionally narrow margins. Walker Welch took second place with a solid 27.00 average, posting a best single solve of 25 moves during his attempts. Carter Kucala followed closely behind to claim third place with a 27.67 average, also locking in a single attempt of 25 moves. The podium was a complete sweep for the United States, showcasing high-level efficiency from all three top finishers.

Away from the top of the standings, the quiet triumphs of competitors tackling new milestones formed the heart of the contest. Andrew Tyberg delivered one of the weekend's most notable personal leaps, recording a 3x3x3 Fewest Moves personal best of 31 moves, an 11.4 percent improvement over his previous mark of 35, and earning a 7th-place finish. Nolan Wayman undertook his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, navigating the format to record a 35-move single and a 9th-place finish. Eli Sanderson also made his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, logging a 54-move single, a 57.00 average, and taking 5th place.

The round also saw several dedicated solvers expand their repertoire in this official cubing competition. Joza Tlusty completed a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a single of 51, a 54.33 average, and a best finish of 4th place. Simon Kellum, competing in his 271st career tournament, achieved a 24-move single on his way to 6th place. Shain Papalotl Longbehn locked in an impressive 33-move single to secure 8th place, while Lisa Kucala registered a 56-move single to round out the field with a 10th-place finish in the single-event schedule.

Efficiency events like Fewest Moves present a stark contrast to standard speed formats. Rather than focusing on rapid execution and muscle memory, competitors have sixty minutes per solve to analyze scrambles, write out trial moves, and cancel unnecessary turns on paper. The 3x3 results produced at Festive Mini-sota 2024 demonstrated how rigorous preparation and strategic planning can unlock brief, elegant solutions that rival pure dexterity.

As the 2024 season wound down, this focused WCA competition in Minnesota highlighted the depth of problem-solving talent in the Midwest. Evan Brown, Walker Welch, and Carter Kucala set the standard on the podium, while first-time attempts and personal bests throughout the roster underscored steady individual growth. With fresh benchmarks established, the competitors look ahead to applying their refined understanding of puzzle mechanics in the upcoming competitive season.