Hudson Valley Winter 2025

Inside the spacious halls of the Hudson Sports Complex, the steady clatter of turning plastic resonated across every station as timers blinked to life. Competitors gathered around tables in Warwick, New York, USA, meticulously aligning layers, testing spring tensions, and warming up their fingers in the morning air. The single-day tournament on January 26, 2025 brought together 73 competitors eager to test their practice under official conditions. The vibrant venue bustled with energy as seasoned contenders and brand-new entrants settled in for a packed program spanning seven rounds.

Across the five scheduled disciplines, personal milestones and rapid growth defined the day far more than simple standings. The Hudson Valley Winter 2025 gathering served as a stage where dedicated practice translated directly into dramatic drops in solve times. From compact twisting puzzles to larger mechanical challenges, competitors throughout the field found their rhythm early. The collective focus in Warwick produced a wave of breakthrough performances, underscoring how rapidly solving standards continue to elevate across the regional speedcubing community.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew all 73 competitors across two intense rounds of competition, showcasing remarkable depth and fierce rivalries. Parker Trager captured the title with a winning average of 7.66 seconds, backed by a tournament-best single solve of 5.40 seconds. Jeffrey Chen pushed hard for the top spot, securing second place with a 7.97 average, while Evan Liu locked down third place on the podium with an 8.97 average. The high-caliber 3x3 results demonstrated pristine execution under pressure, setting an inspiring benchmark for everyone watching from the staging area.

Pyraminx action proved just as thrilling, drawing 55 entrants through two competitive rounds of sharp turns and rapid adjustments. Steven Wintringham took top honors with a blazing winning average of 2.45 seconds and a blistering 1.98 single. Parker Trager earned second place with a 2.82 average, and Ryan Hughes rounded out the podium at 3.52. In the Skewb final, Ryan Hughes claimed the championship with a winning average of 3.81 seconds and a 3.01 single, ahead of Parker Trager in second with 4.52 and Evan Liu in third with 4.66.

Long-form puzzles demanded immense endurance and structural mastery from the competitors. Declan Wilhelm dominated the Megaminx event, solving through the complex twelve-sided puzzle to take first place with an average of 43.06 seconds and a 38.76 single. Parker Trager finished second with a 52.67 average, while Evan Liu secured third at 1:00.67. On the massive 7x7x7 Cube, Evan Liu claimed the victory with a commanding average of 2:51.95 and a best single of 2:45.31, leading Brandon Delacruz in second at 3:15.03 and Parker Trager in third at 3:15.16.

Beyond the championship podiums, the heart of the speed cubing weekend belonged to solvers making astonishing personal leaps. Rudra Sarkar delivered one of the steepest drops of the day in the classic Rubik's Cube, recording a 3x3x3 personal best of 14.08 seconds to beat their previous mark by 50.8 percent. Arthur Vareille tackled four events, registering a Skewb personal best of 8.61 seconds that cut 48.8 percent off their prior mark, while also completing their first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 12.76 and first Megaminx in 1:52.61 to earn 14th place. Franz Tribelhorn dropped their Pyraminx best down to 6.72 seconds, improving by 44.8 percent. Jai Borress took on three events, posting a Pyraminx personal best of 8.15 seconds for a 37.7 percent drop alongside first attempts in Skewb at 10.73 and 3x3x3 Cube at 18.54.

New milestones continued across every bracket as competitors pushed their limits. Aurora Rose Larue McCrady logged a personal best of 52.52 seconds in the 3x3x3 Cube, improving by 36.5 percent, alongside a first attempt at Pyraminx in 22.81. Matteo C. Chiodo lowered their Skewb mark to 17.64 seconds, a 28.1 percent improvement, while taking on three events including a first Pyraminx attempt of 14.17. Achyuth Badami achieved an 18.04 personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube, a 28.4 percent leap, and added a first Pyraminx mark of 9.28. Elliot Voigt took on all five events, delivering a Skewb personal best of 2.90 seconds for a 31.1 percent drop, a Pyraminx personal best of 3.40, and a first ever attempt at the 7x7x7 Cube in 7:20.13.

The debutants also made an unforgettable impression during their first official WCA competition appearances. Sam Kelly took on four events, establishing baseline marks including a 16.00 in Skewb, 30.21 in 3x3x3 Cube, and a 24th-place finish in Megaminx. Timothy Krakinovsky recorded a 16.41 in the 3x3x3 Cube alongside runs in Skewb and Pyraminx. Walker Solberg completed three events with marks of 9.29 in Pyraminx, 9.87 in Skewb, and 17.08 in 3x3x3 Cube. Albert Yao earned a 19th-place finish in the 3x3x3 Cube with a swift 9.50 single.

When the final timers ceased, Hudson Valley Winter 2025 concluded as a showcase of individual dedication and technical growth. Solvers across the spectrum walked away with new lifetime records, broader event experience, and renewed determination. The lively cubing competition in Warwick reaffirmed the vibrant spirit of the community, leaving competitors fully prepared to build upon their personal bests as the 2025 tournament calendar unfolds.