Hobart Winter 2024

Jode Brewster delivered a commanding masterclass in speedcubing at Howrah Primary School, sweeping four separate events including a blistering 6.57 winning average in the main 3x3x3 Cube final. That standard-setting display served as the centerpiece for Hobart Winter 2024, held on August 17, 2024, where 37 competitors gathered in Howrah, Tasmania, Australia. Beyond the top-step finishes, the single-day gathering provided an energetic celebration of the broader puzzle community. Longtime friends caught up between scrambles, newer solvers tested their abilities in specialized side disciplines, and the venue buzzed with mutual support across nine total rounds of competition.

The 2024 calendar brought an expansive lineup of 7 events to the Tasmanian venue, offering a balanced mix of traditional speed cubing and intricate memory tests. While the main stage focused heavily on the classic Rubik's Cube, the hallways and warm-up tables filled with solvers trading advice on specialized hardware like Clock, Pyraminx, and Skewb. This WCA competition highlighted how diverse side events create common ground, pulling together enthusiasts who enjoy the frantic rhythm of quick turns alongside those who prefer the deep concentration of blindfolded puzzles.

Brewster set the pace across several formats throughout the day, claiming victory in the 2x2x2 Cube with a 2.10 average, taking Pyraminx with a 4.24 average, and securing the Skewb title on a 4.39 average. In the 2x2x2 Cube final, Brewster led an all-Australian podium ahead of Alex Butera, who finished second with a 2.20 average, and Leeah Gard-Spaulding, who captured third with a 3.19 mark. In Skewb, Brewster finished ahead of Butera in second at 4.92 and Gard-Spaulding in third at 5.65. The Pyraminx podium saw Brewster finish ahead of runner-up Ari Xiang Soo with a 4.94 average and Veer Liu Dogra with a 5.23 average.

The 3x3 results proved just as compelling across two complete rounds featuring 36 competitors. Brewster took the top spot on the podium backed by a 5.22 best single. Vietnam speedcuber Trần Đăng Quang secured second place with a steady 10.18 final average, while Ethan Tenaglia rounded out the podium in third place with a 10.36 average. The camaraderie between heats was evident as competitors analyzed turn efficiency and shared reconstruction tips before transitioning to alternate events.

Clock brought its own distinctive flair to the schedule, with Alex Butera emerging as the champion by posting a 4.23 winning average and a 3.15 best single across a field of 16 competitors. Veer Liu Dogra took second place on the podium with a 5.24 average, while Jode Brewster collected third place with an 8.25 average. The blindfolded disciplines demanded pure concentration from everyone in the room, where Anthony Rochester topped both the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event with a 1:17.93 single and the 3x3x3 Multi-Blind event by successfully resolving 16 out of 21 cubes in 52:15. Brewster placed second in Multi-Blind with a perfect 3 of 3 in 11:38, followed by Butera in third with 3 of 4 in 24:28.

Away from the podium presentations, the heartbeat of Hobart Winter 2024 remained with competitors pushing their individual milestones to new heights. Carsten Bayles took on three events and delivered massive breakthroughs, lowering their 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 7.78, which was 74.5 percent faster than their prior mark, alongside a 56.22 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube that was 36.3 percent faster, and logging a first ever attempt at Pyraminx of 28.95. Malachi Davis entered five events, recording a first ever attempt at Clock with a 24.37 to finish 13th, while achieving an 8.93 personal best in Pyraminx that was 31.4 percent faster and a 14.90 in Skewb that was 20.8 percent faster. Shane Buendia reduced their 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 10.25, improving by 51.2 percent over their previous best. Azariah Dickenson earned a 6th place finish in Skewb, logged a first ever attempt at Pyraminx of 8.40, and registered a 4.42 personal best in 2x2x2 Cube alongside a 17.46 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube.

That same drive was on display across several other events throughout the afternoon. Oliver Johnston competed in three events, achieving a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 4.40 to show a 43.7 percent improvement, plus a 28.71 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube. Harriet Morton improved by 43.1 percent in the 2x2x2 Cube with a 7.34 personal best and recorded a 52.38 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube. Brad Deegan took on five events and saw major time drops, capturing 9th in Clock with a 20.04 personal best that was 49 percent faster and setting a 9.13 personal best in Skewb that was 28.3 percent faster. Eli Taylor contested five disciplines and achieved 6th in Pyraminx while lowering their Clock personal best to 19.84, an improvement of 46 percent.

With 23 podium places for Australia and one for Vietnam, the single-day gathering in Tasmania concluded on a high note of shared enthusiasm. The friendly spirit shared among newcomers and seasoned champions showed that every round provides an opportunity to connect and improve. As timers were packed away and tables cleared, the participants departed Howrah Primary School with fresh personal bests and stronger bonds across the regional cubing community.