Moncton Spring 2024

A nail-biting 0.01-second margin decided the Pyraminx final in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada, setting the tone for an intense single day of competition at Moncton Spring 2024. Across six disciplines and ten packed rounds, competitors had to navigate strict cut structures and multi-stage formats to secure their spots in the finals. The Boys and Girls Club of Dieppe hosted 51 competitors on April 6, 2024, providing a dramatic stage where every solve counted toward surviving each round.

The flagship Rubik's Cube tournament required solvers to advance through three rigorous stages to claim a podium spot. In the end, Seungmin Lee captured victory in the main event with a winning average of 8.68 seconds and a best single of 7.48. Michael Zheng earned second place on the podium with a 9.43 average, while Albert Sanhueza Theriault completed the top three with an average of 9.57. The 3x3 results demonstrated remarkable consistency under the pressure of progressive cuts throughout the day.

Big cubes tested stamina in single-round, direct-to-podium formats where any mistake was immediately decisive. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Marco Yang (杨柯辰) secured first place with an average of 43.85 seconds, highlighted by a best single of 37.03. Albert Sanhueza Theriault took second place with an average of 44.58 seconds, followed closely by Sakib Ibn Rashid Rhivu representing Bangladesh in third with 47.38. With 22 entrants battling in a single round, the margins were extraordinarily tight from top to bottom.

Albert Sanhueza Theriault delivered a commanding performance in the 5x5x5 Cube, winning the event with an average of 1:11.29 and setting a best single of 1:05.86. Marco Yang (杨柯辰) claimed the runner-up position with a 1:21.41 average, while Abdullah Gulab of Pakistan reached the podium in third place with a time of 1:42.92. This speedcubing competition showcased high-level discipline across the larger puzzles, where mechanical mastery and concentration over lengthy solves proved crucial.

Side events brought exceptional drama across the venue. In Pyraminx, Albert Sanhueza Theriault narrowly edged Kyle Sardovia for the title, posting a 4.59 winning average to Sardovia's 4.60 across two rounds, while Dayun Son finished third at 5.47. Dayun Son struck gold in Skewb with a 5.17 average after two rounds, finishing ahead of Albert Sanhueza Theriault at 5.69 and Jérôme LaRochelle at 6.77. In Clock, Kye Riddell dominated the field with a 6.33 average, leaving Albert Sanhueza Theriault in second at 8.88 and Abdullah Gulab in third at 10.40.

Beyond the finals, numerous competitors delivered breakthrough personal marks away from the spotlight. Nathan Terpstra entered four events, cutting his Skewb mark to a 7.41 personal best that was 58.3% faster than his previous mark of 17.75, while also recording his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with 47.74. Hasan Khan dropped his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 14.61, an improvement of 30.1% over his previous 20.89. Alek Cormier logged a 13.88 in 3x3x3 Cube, improving by 28.3%, alongside a first ever attempt at Skewb in 11.73 and Pyraminx in 12.60. Brayden Man Lok Chan achieved personal bests in three events, including an 8.98 in Pyraminx that was 27.2% faster.

Fresh faces made an immediate impact across multiple disciplines at this WCA competition. Marshall Erickson competed in their first WCA competition, taking on six events, finishing 10th in 4x4x4 Cube, and posting a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 11.26. Joe Petrash also made their first appearance, tackling five events, securing a 7th place finish in 5x5x5 Cube, and recording a first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube of 1:58.57. Mataeo Anderson took on five events and posted a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube of 1:51.56, while Gavin Case entered six events and registered a first ever attempt at Clock with 11.90.

The full schedule at Moncton Spring 2024 proved that speed cubing in the Maritimes continues to thrive across every puzzle category. From multi-round tactical battles in 3x3 to high-stakes direct finals on the big cubes, every participant found opportunities to test their limits. As the 2024 season progresses, the standards set in Dieppe will serve as an inspiring benchmark for competitors preparing for their next regional cubing competition.