GA Cubers Warm Up 2026

51.59 seconds was the gold standard set on the big stage as the 5x5x5 Cube brought high-stakes endurance to the center of the arena. Taking place on March 29, 2026, GA Cubers Warm Up 2026 convened 25 competitors inside the Instructional Center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA for a tight, high-tempo schedule. With 3 distinct events and 6 rounds of intense turning, the cubing competition rewarded competitors who could maintain focus through long, intricate algorithmic phases. Solving big puzzles demands physical stamina and sustained concentration, separating reliable speedcubers from the rest of the pack.

The 5x5x5 Cube division showcased the technical demands of speedcubing at its highest tier, requiring competitors to reduce extensive center patterns and edge pairs before executing traditional Rubik's Cube finishes. Jared Stinson proved unflappable across two demanding rounds of 5x5x5 Cube action, capturing first place with a winning average of 51.59 seconds. Stinson also authored the fastest individual solve of the discipline at 50.00 seconds. Katie Hull secured the second step on the podium with an average of 54.52 seconds, while Eli Smith rounded out the top three by posting an average of 1:03.50 among the 21 competitors in the event.

Beyond the grueling multi-layered centers of the big cube, the schedule at GA Cubers Warm Up 2026 tested an entirely different skill set with Clock. The mechanical dials demanded rapid finger work and quick orientation, where Jasper Wolfe-Tham set the pace for the field. Wolfe-Tham took victory with a winning average of 3.46 seconds, punctuated by a best single solve of 3.16 seconds. Justin Barker finished in the runner-up spot with an average of 5.15 seconds, closely followed by Katie Hull, who earned her second podium spot of the day with an average of 5.26 seconds across two rounds.

The shape-shifting challenge of Square-1 provided another layer of complexity to the weekend schedule in Atlanta. Drake Denton Richard managed the non-cubic slice turns with absolute authority, clinching first place with a winning average of 9.71 seconds. Richard also registered the quickest single solve of the event at 7.48 seconds. Eli Smith claimed second place with an average of 13.21 seconds to collect another award, while Canada representative Jaiden Shum locked up third place with an average of 14.42 seconds in the final round.

A look across the broader field at GA Cubers Warm Up 2026 reveals substantial milestones and breakthroughs away from the podium ceremonies. Austyn Segal delivered a major highlight by clocking a Clock personal best of 7.90 seconds, improving by 54 percent over a previous mark of 17.18 on the way to a 12th-place finish. Sungananji Joshua Sichizya also recorded a standout leap in efficiency, dropping his 5x5x5 Cube personal best by 26.2 percent to 1:12.52 and taking 6th place overall. Debut attempts on large puzzles brought additional excitement, as Cody Kellogg tackled his first ever official attempt at 5x5x5 Cube with a time of 3:16.34 while lowering his Clock mark by 13.2 percent to 19.58.

Rigel Harris took on the big grid for the first time as well, logging a first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 1:51.99 across two entered events. Meanwhile, Antonio Bonessi improved his 5x5x5 Cube personal best by 7.4 percent down to 1:09.18 to place 7th, and Annye Bennett reduced her Square-1 personal best by 9.7 percent to 1:03.10. Taking on three events throughout the schedule, Eddie Szuster earned a 9th-place finish in Square-1 alongside a 5x5x5 Cube personal best of 1:54.91, while Shreyas Minocha locked in a 5x5x5 Cube personal best of 2:42.46.

The official WCA competition ledger reflected heavy involvement across every bracket, demonstrating balanced international and regional participation. Overall podium places favored the home nation with USA taking 8 positions alongside 1 for Canada. While traditional fans often focus on 3x3 results, this specialized program put the spotlight squarely on niche execution, from the mechanical timing of dial turning to the mathematical precision of non-cubic alignment and large puzzle manipulation.

Every round at GA Cubers Warm Up 2026 reinforced the depth required to excel across disparate puzzle formats in modern speed cubing. Jared Stinson, Jasper Wolfe-Tham, and Drake Denton Richard each emerged atop their respective events through poise and consistency. As the 2026 competitive season continues to unfold, the marks set inside the Instructional Center establish a strong baseline for all 25 participating competitors looking forward to the next major test.