Ottawa 3x3x3 Winter B 2024

Elijah De Groote delivered a decisive victory on the tournament floor, locking down a winning average of 10.06 seconds alongside the day best single of 9.18 seconds to capture the top prize. His consistency through the final round set the standard for a competitive day of speedcubing in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. That commanding performance led the 3x3 results across three intense rounds of play, capping off a focused gathering dedicated entirely to the classic puzzle.

The one-day event, Ottawa 3x3x3 Winter B 2024, welcomed 42 competitors to A.Y. Jackson S.S. on January 13, 2024. Designed exclusively around the traditional Rubik's Cube, the single-event program offered every entrant multiple opportunities to test their limits under standard tournament conditions. With three full rounds scheduled, each competitor had the chance to establish their rhythm, adapt to official timers, and chase personal milestones from morning to afternoon.

For several participants, this cubing competition marked their first official entry onto the tournament scene. Stepping up to an official table brings a distinct shift from casual home practice, introducing standard inspection procedures, tournament judges, and the pressure of the clock. First-time competitors navigated the structured environment of a sanctioned WCA competition, turning months of private preparation into verified official marks on the international stage.

The energy of the day was fueled by athletes who pushed their personal benchmarks to new heights. Ben Newman registered a standout performance, recording a 3x3x3 Cube personal best single of 32.06 seconds to improve upon his previous mark by 28.7 percent. Sawyer Joseph Nichol also dropped considerable time, logging a personal best of 22.96 seconds which was 28.4 percent faster than before. Miran Aydin lowered his personal best down to 15.21 seconds, an improvement of 25.2 percent, while Benjamin Abbott took 8th place and cut his best mark by 28.4 percent to finish with a rapid 10.66 single.

The roster of fresh faces made immediate impressions during their opening appearances. Micah Wendt completed an opening attempt of 33.50 seconds in his first outing at a tournament, while Zack Létourneau posted an initial mark of 30.25 seconds. Brogan Morris started his competitive journey with a 21.36 single on his first attempt, and Chelsea Morris established her baseline with a 46.18 time. Each of these performances reflected the growing base of speed cubing talent taking their first steps in organized play.

At the sharp end of the bracket, the podium battle featured tight margins and fast rotations. Jeremy James Elias secured second place with a final average of 11.34 seconds, following a strong run that included an earlier round single of 10.86 and an average of 11.17. Ziad Alavi rounded out the top three by taking third place with a 12.47 average, completing an all-Canadian podium sweep in the final standings.

Throughout the field, competitors capitalized on the three-round structure to post notable marks across the afternoon. Julian Kim Bowman reached the final round to claim 4th place overall, having recorded a single of 10.72 and an average of 13.18 during earlier stages. Imanzi Habonimana earned a 5th place finish with a 12.32 personal best single, while Mila Young finished 6th with an earlier 13.24 single and 14.67 average.

By the time the final awards were distributed, Ottawa 3x3x3 Winter B 2024 served as both a showcase for seasoned solvers and an encouraging entry point for newcomers. The focused format gave 42 solvers the space to refine their solves, set fresh personal records, and experience the cadence of tournament play in Ontario as the 2024 competitive season got underway.