Hasty Hastings 2024

Twenty-one podium places were up for grabs across seven events, and competitors from New Zealand claimed every single one of them. The Camberley Community Centre set the stage on November 23, 2024, as 18 competitors gathered for a packed day of speedcubing. Across 14 fast-paced rounds, the domestic talent proved unmatched in Hastings, New Zealand, locking out the medal rostrum in each event on the schedule. From standard Rubik's Cube solving to complex memory challenges, the local contingent demonstrated depth and precision throughout a memorable 2024 speed cubing gathering.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew all 18 entrants through three tense stages of competition. Chris Mills emerged on top with a commanding winning average of 6.92 seconds, punctuated by a best single solve of 5.90 seconds. Jack McDougall followed closely in second place with an average of 7.56, while Jack Maddigan took third with an average of 9.16. These standout 3x3 results highlighted the fierce battle at the top, setting the benchmark for the entire cubing competition and establishing the host nation's complete control over the standings.

Jack McDougall put together an extraordinary multi-event showcase, winning three separate disciplines. In the 2x2x2 Cube, McDougall secured victory with a 1.93-second final average and a 1.35 single. Levi Hetherington and Jack Maddigan matched each other with averages of 2.14 to claim second and third respectively. McDougall also captured the Skewb crown with an average of 3.67 ahead of William Jackson at 4.20 and Chris Mills at 5.80. Demonstrating versatility, McDougall added the 3x3x3 Blindfolded title, recording a winning single of 56.50 seconds ahead of William Jackson at 1:21.78 and Liam Wadek at 3:29.57.

The hardware collection continued for Chris Mills, who mirrored his 3x3 success in the 4x4x4 Cube. Mills delivered a blistering 28.81 average, bolstered by a best single of 26.40 seconds, to secure his second title of Hasty Hastings 2024. McDougall secured the runner-up spot with a 35.57 average, and Maddigan picked up another podium finish with 40.38. In Pyraminx, Dylan Himmelfarb claimed the title with an impressive 2.69 winning average, keeping Mills at bay in second place at 3.07 and Lachlan Gibson in third at 3.41.

Lachlan Gibson added a title of his own in Clock, pacing the field with a sharp 4.24 winning average and an event-best single of 2.90 seconds. McDougall claimed second place in Clock with an average of 5.72, while Liam Wadek completed the podium with a 6.48 average. The Clock tournament rounded out the full spectrum of puzzles featured at Hasty Hastings 2024, further solidifying the complete sweep by Kiwi competitors across every event on the official program.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones and personal progress. Connor Davies-Harrison took on five events, posting a best finish of 11th in 2x2x2 Cube while lowering their 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 53.5 percent down to 4.99 seconds, alongside a Clock debut solve of 30.24. Tyler Dipper entered seven events and finished fourth in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, cutting their 3x3x3 Cube best by 40.7 percent to 16.28 seconds and recording a first attempt at Clock in 16.57. Henry Rutland tackled seven events, finishing fourth in blindfolded solving while trimming their Pyraminx best by 42.5 percent to 4.46 seconds. Riley Wicks entered six events, finishing fourth in Pyraminx while cutting their Clock personal best by 42.4 percent down to 3.63 seconds.

The day also welcomed five solvers making notable strides at this WCA competition. Lukas Ott from Germany made their tournament debut across three events, recording an initial Pyraminx single of 9.93 seconds and a 2x2x2 Cube single of 7.79. Jethro Hancock entered their first official event, tackling three disciplines and posting an opening 3x3x3 Cube solve of 35.93 seconds. Austin Garside also marked their first official appearance, delivering a 40.31 single in the 3x3x3 Cube across two events, while Elizabeth Young made an inaugural appearance with a 1:00.24 single on the classic puzzle. Andy Jackson stepped up for their first event solve, logging a 2:22.57 mark on the Rubik's Cube.

As the schedule concluded at the Camberley Community Centre, Hasty Hastings 2024 stood as a testament to the talent of the regional speedcubing community. Every medal stayed within the host country, propelled by the multi-event triumphs of Chris Mills, Jack McDougall, Dylan Himmelfarb, and Lachlan Gibson. With massive personal improvements and promising debuts across the floor, the day closed with high benchmarks for the next chapter of regional cubing.

The decisive clean sweep across all seven categories capped a dominant showing at Hasty Hastings 2024. With intense battles on the tables and milestones achieved at every level of the field, the tournament established a high standard for New Zealand speedcubing looking forward to future seasons.