Georgetown Side Event Day 2026

Inside the Georgetown Public Library, a focused quiet settled over the tables as competitors prepared for a full day of tactical problem-solving. Across 17 rounds of action, solvers handled complex turn sequences and deep spatial calculations under the steady gaze of judges. While classic blindfolded solving requires pure memorisation and unbroken spatial awareness before executing moves sight unseen, every side discipline on the schedule demanded that same level of mental endurance. The atmosphere in Georgetown, Texas, USA reflected the singular focus that defines the sport.

The one-day WCA competition brought together 28 competitors on February 22, 2026, challenging them across 10 distinct events. Unlike standard tournaments centered strictly on classic Rubik's Cube trials, this gathering pushed athletes through specialized twists, non-cubic puzzles, and big cubes. Spectators tracking the regional speedcubing scene witnessed a full spectrum of mechanical disciplines, where every split second spent inspecting puzzle states directly dictated the eventual podium placements throughout the intense day of speed cubing.

Ryan Pilat delivered a commanding performance across multiple formats at Georgetown Side Event Day 2026, securing five individual event victories. Pilat showed remarkable versatility by capturing first place in the 2x2x2 Cube with a winning average of 1.74 seconds, alongside a 2.01-second average victory in Pyraminx. Moving up to the larger hardware, Pilat also claimed the 6x6x6 Cube title with a 1:29.28 average and won the 7x7x7 Cube in 2:14.33, while rounding out his dominant run by topping the Square-1 podium with a 6.27 average.

The big-cube events featured fierce contests at the top of the standings, particularly between Pilat and Ray Bai. Bai emerged victorious in the 4x4x4 Cube, posting a winning average of 26.51 seconds across two rounds, and secured the 5x5x5 Cube title with an average of 46.87 seconds. In the 5x5x5 Cube final, Bai edged out Pilat, who took second in 47.89 seconds, while Jose Ortiz Jr. claimed third place in 54.79 seconds. Bai also took second place in the 6x6x6 Cube with a 1:37.55 average, where Maddox Smith finished third in 1:54.55.

Single-handed dexterity was on full display in the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, an alternative format often evaluated alongside standard 3x3 results to test fingertrick efficiency and physical stamina. Tyler Gee won the event with an 11.06-second average, followed by Bai in second at 12.58 seconds and Pilat in third at 13.40 seconds. In the Megaminx event, Jose Ortiz Jr. secured the top spot with a 38.64-second average, finishing ahead of Maddox Smith with 40.24 seconds and Tyler Gee with 40.85 seconds. The Clock event saw India's Vyom Sharma take first place with a 3.28-second average, leading Ignacio Montilla and Chael Lumaban on the podium.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, several participants marked personal milestones and made major statistical leaps at Georgetown Side Event Day 2026. Manish Khadka took on six events, logging a Pyraminx personal best of 7.93 seconds to finish 49.5 percent faster than before, while also recording first ever attempts in Square-1 at 40.21 seconds and the 2x2x2 Cube at 7.29 seconds. Evan Garza registered seven events, posting a Megaminx debut of 1:56.19 and trimming his 3x3x3 One-Handed best down to 29.45 seconds, which was 25.1 percent faster. Moses Mellbom took on four events, logging first attempts in Clock at 19.48 seconds, Pyraminx at 7.22 seconds, and 2x2x2 Cube at 3.52 seconds. Ethan Milton entered five events and recorded an initial Pyraminx attempt of 14.61 seconds.

The depth of the field was further illustrated by veteran solvers refining their marks across a demanding schedule. Noah Silva took on all 10 events, capturing a Square-1 personal best of 10.63 seconds to cut his prior mark by 29.1 percent, alongside a Megaminx personal best of 1:01.33 and a Clock best of 5.87 seconds. Kyumin Shim contested nine events, shaving 33.1 percent off his Clock best to hit 7.67 seconds and setting a 6x6x6 Cube best of 3:05.70. Caleb Torres tackled nine events, earning a 5x5x5 Cube personal best of 1:39.00, while Nicholas Russo secured an eighth-place finish in Clock with a first ever attempt of 7.83 seconds.

The 2x2x2 Cube tournament saw high drama across its three rounds, culminating in a competitive final where Pilat's 1.74 average edged out Tucker Chamberlain's 2.11 and Jeremy Sheng's 2.57. In the Square-1 division, Chamberlain also took second place with a 6.98 average behind Pilat, while Thai Bui finished third in 12.26 seconds. The 7x7x7 Cube contest concluded with Pilat at the top, Bai in second at 2:46.81, and Gideon Dalum securing third place with a 2:50.23 average.

With 29 podium spots secured by United States competitors and one by India, the cubing competition highlighted both local mastery and specialized puzzle technique. As the schedule wrapped up at the Georgetown Public Library, the athletes concluded a full slate of 17 rounds across 10 side disciplines. Georgetown Side Event Day 2026 demonstrated the depth of skill and sharp focus present throughout the 2026 Texas speedcubing circuit.