Quick Solving at Cobham 2024

Forty-one competitors gathered across twenty-four rounds of intense competition as Quick Solving at Cobham 2024 brought top-tier speedcubing action to Christchurch, New Zealand. Held at Cobham Intermediate on July 6 and July 7, the two-day gathering showcased elite puzzle handling across nine distinct disciplines. Speed cubing enthusiasts were treated to rapid turnarounds and sharp execution as solvers pushed their skills to the absolute limit throughout the packed schedule.

The 2x2x2 Cube event served as a major focal point of the weekend, yielding a flood of notable personal bests and blistering marks across the bracket. Connor Johnson set the pace for the discipline, securing victory with an exceptional winning average of 1.57 seconds alongside a best single solve of 1.33 seconds. The event witnessed fierce battles down to fractions of a second, with China competitor Yuki Gao taking second place with an average of 1.67 seconds and Adrien Auvray Matyn claiming third at 1.78 seconds.

The 2x2x2 Cube competition saw standout times throughout the field, with Connor Johnson delivering marks of 1.44 for single and 1.66 for average. Yuki Gao recorded a 1.63 single and 2.31 average, while Jasper Murray registered a 1.51 single and 2.49 average. Cooper Jones logged a 1.72 single and 2.55 average, Zee Capangpangan recorded a 2.11 single and 2.58 average, and Dwyane Ramos delivered a 1.91 single and 2.72 average. Adrien Auvray Matyn recorded a 2.63 single and 2.73 average, Jack Maddigan posted a 1.89 single and 2.74 average, Henry Eyles achieved a 1.96 single and 2.84 average, and Daniel Fraser logged a 2.34 single and 3.13 average.

Beyond the 2x2x2 showdown, Dwyane Ramos established total command across five separate events at Quick Solving at Cobham 2024. Ramos dominated the 4x4x4 Cube with a winning average of 29.56 seconds, swept the 5x5x5 Cube with a 49.80 average, and took the 3x3x3 One-Handed title in 9.29 seconds. He also captured top honours in Skewb with an average of 2.98 seconds and finished first in Clock with a 5.03 average, marking one of the most prolific multi-discipline weekends of the 2024 season.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew a tournament-high forty competitors over three testing rounds. Adrien Auvray Matyn emerged victorious to claim the headline prize, delivering a decisive winning average of 6.30 seconds and a best single solve of 6.00 seconds. Jasper Murray secured second place with a 6.62 average, while Dwyane Ramos rounded out the podium in third with an average of 6.79 seconds. Matyn added to his trophy haul by winning the Megaminx with a 42.01 average, while Murray triumphed in Pyraminx with a sharp 1.76 average.

Away from the top of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones across the weekend schedule. Ollie Kimber tackled five events and cut their 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 56 percent to 3.08 seconds, while also making their first official attempts in Clock at 12.60 seconds and Pyraminx at 6.97 seconds. Bobby Mouat contested three events, improving their Pyraminx mark by 43.3 percent down to 12.78 seconds, taking their 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 38.50 seconds, and recording a first attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed in 59.89 seconds. Jayden Smith entered six events, lowering their 4x4x4 Cube best by 15.5 percent to 1:25.61 while recording first-ever attempts in Clock at 31.41 seconds and 5x5x5 Cube at 2:40.95. William James Selkirk improved their Skewb mark by 17.3 percent to 14.00 seconds, took their 3x3x3 time down to 36.46 seconds, and completed their first 4x4x4 Cube solve in 2:28.58.

The progress continued with Emir Ali from Fiji, who entered six events, recorded a first Megaminx attempt of 2:22.56, and improved their 4x4x4 Cube personal best by 16.8 percent to 1:15.22 alongside a 5x5x5 Cube best of 2:20.23. Sebastian Kimber dropped their 3x3x3 Cube time by 34.8 percent to 15.61 seconds and lowered their Pyraminx best by 19.6 percent to 7.10 seconds across four disciplines. Joseph Jenkinson contested eight events, earning an 11th-place finish in Skewb while improving their Megaminx personal best by 29.6 percent to 1:39.43. Jacob O'Callaghan tackled seven events, slicing 21.6 percent off their 5x5x5 Cube best down to 2:24.53 and shaving their Clock time down to 12.30 seconds.

The presence of new talent enriched the atmosphere throughout the arena. Miles Fox, Jamie Mouat, Mason Fox, and Hayden McIntosh all made their debuts in official WCA competition, tackling diverse puzzle types ranging from the standard Rubik's Cube to side events with poise. New Zealand competitors earned twenty-six podium places over the weekend, with China claiming one podium position in an energetic display of regional speedcubing capability.

The official 3x3 results and multisided event tallies from Quick Solving at Cobham 2024 reflect a competitive community operating in fine form. Solvers produced sharp times across all nine events, testing their mettle in both big cubes and twisty side variants. As the cubing competition circuit moves forward into the rest of the year, the achievements logged at Cobham Intermediate will serve as a strong baseline for everyone who stepped up to the tables in Christchurch.