PBQuIdaho Winter 2023

Twelve competitors gathered on February 25, 2023, stepping up to take on five of the most demanding events in speedcubing at SpringHill Suites. The single-day WCA competition in Rexburg, Idaho, USA, challenged participants across six rounds of blindfolded solving and efficiency analysis. In an atmosphere built entirely on patience and precision, the narrow margins between victory and a failed attempt defined the day. Solvers tackled everything from multi-blind setups to calculated single-turn solutions, proving that raw dexterity is only a fraction of the sport.

The 3x3x3 Fewest Moves contest proved to be one of the day's sharpest battles, where every single turn dictated the final standings. Brendan Bakker claimed first place with an impressive winning average of 32.33, anchored by a best single of 24 moves. Rustin Haderlie secured the second step on the podium with an average of 40.67, staying just three moves ahead of Damian Wilding, who recorded a 43.67 average for third place. The meticulous analysis of the standard Rubik's Cube brought out intense technical focus across all 12 competitors in the field.

Bakker continued to set the benchmark in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event, which featured 11 competitors across two full rounds. In the final round, Bakker secured victory with a best single of 26.97 seconds. Samuel Baird followed in second place with a mark of 41.09 seconds, while Wilding captured third place with a time of 2:44.92. The event demanded flawless mental recall and sharp execution, leaving little room for hesitation once the blindfolds were lowered across the solving tables.

The 3x3x3 Multi-Blind event brought eight brave entrants to the floor, where memory capacity was tested to the extreme limit. Bakker emerged at the top of the podium yet again, successfully resolving 15 out of 20 cubes within a time of 57:58. Baird claimed second place by logging 5 out of 10 cubes in 49:00. The remaining competitors, including Wilding, Haderlie, Austin Brown, Sam Porter, Isaac Buck, and Isaac Myers, all received DNFs, illustrating the relentless risk inherent to the discipline.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved meaningful individual milestones throughout the weekend. Sam Thompson tackled two events on the schedule, logging a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a count of 58 to take an 11th place finish. Corbin Rodriguez took on two disciplines, delivering a first ever attempt in Fewest Moves with a 48 to claim 9th place. Karler L. Harriman entered one event during the meet, registering a solid 12th place finish in Fewest Moves.

The larger puzzles brought their own distinct blindfolded challenges, starting with the 4x4x4 Blindfolded round. Bakker locked down his fourth title of the competition with a winning single time of 5:59.04. Clément Cherblanc of France earned second place with a time of 14:54.00, while Porter secured the third spot on the podium with a single of 25:35.00. The 6-competitor field faced severe memorization loads on the four-layered puzzle, highlighting the stamina required at the venue.

The marathon event of the schedule was the 5x5x5 Blindfolded competition, which featured three entrants striving to complete the massive puzzle sight unseen. Wilding claimed the top spot on the podium by completing a successful single solve of 65:32.00. Both Bakker and Cherblanc registered DNFs during their attempts, leaving Wilding as the sole competitor to log a successful time in the grueling event. The performance underscored the immense focus needed for extended speed cubing challenges.

When the final timers were stopped at PBQuIdaho Winter 2023, the medal tally showed 18 podium finishes for the USA and 2 for France. Across both rounds of blindfold solving, few-move analysis, and multi-cube challenges, the regional gathering demonstrated the depth of talent present in Rexburg. The specialized 3x3 results and blindfolded accomplishments capped an intense day of high-level puzzle solving, leaving the assembled field ready to build on their strategic gains for the next competitive season.