Quito Free 2024

45 competitors gathered on May 18, 2024, bringing fresh energy and intense focus to the tables in Quito, Ecuador. Held at the Crepería Petit Crêpe, the one-day gathering proved to be a vibrant showcase for the local scene, featuring a heavy contingent of newcomers taking their initial steps in official tournament play alongside seasoned solvers chasing top marks across 7 rounds and 3 distinct disciplines.

The atmosphere of the WCA competition was defined by this influx of fresh talent, as several competitors made their official debuts on the tournament stage. Speedcubing in the region continues to draw ambitious newcomers eager to test their skills under official conditions. For many in attendance, the tournament provided their very first chance to experience the structure and camaraderie of a sanctioned cubing competition while measuring their progress against peers.

The 3x3x3 Cube served as the centerpiece event of Quito Free 2024, drawing 41 entrants across three hard-fought rounds. Anthony Gerard Álvarez Ludeña captured the championship title with a commanding winning average of 8.59 seconds, backed by the best single time of the tournament at 7.43 seconds. Sebastián Joel Herrera Manangon claimed the second spot on the podium with an average of 11.47 seconds, while Juan Pablo Suárez Narváez secured third place averaging 12.45 seconds.

Beyond the main event, the 2x2x2 Cube delivered rapid action across two rounds featuring 35 competitors. Raúl Gómez took the top spot on the podium with a winning average of 2.79 seconds, bolstered by a 2.00 single solve. Anthony Gerard Álvarez Ludeña added another medal to his tally by taking second place with an average of 3.01 seconds, while Sebastián Mateo España Chango earned third place with an average of 3.79 seconds.

The Pyraminx event brought its own brand of speed cubing drama across two rounds of play among 25 competitors. Adrián Leandro Pazmiño Aldás earned the victory with a standout average of 3.37 seconds and a best single time of 3.29 seconds. Sebastián Joel Herrera Manangon claimed the second-place finish with a 5.63 average, edging out Santiago Vacacela who rounded out the podium in third place with a 5.67 average.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the weekend was defined by remarkable individual strides that the summary tables rarely capture in full. Dylan Matías Gallardo Pozo took on three events and delivered massive improvements across the board, setting a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 8.29 that was 55.5 percent faster than before, a 3x3x3 Cube mark of 22.91 that was 51.8 percent faster, and a Pyraminx time of 8.95 that was 43 percent faster. Yeshúa Quiñónez took fourth place in the 3x3x3 Cube with a personal best of 9.65 that was 28.7 percent faster, while logging a first ever attempt at the 2x2x2 Cube of 6.36. Williams Catota posted a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 28.34, representing a 34.8 percent drop, while Matias Quilumba lowered their 3x3x3 Cube best to 10.73, an improvement of 28.6 percent.

First-time event entries and breakthrough milestones continued to emerge throughout the rounds. Samuel Israel León Rocha contested three events, logging a first ever attempt at the 2x2x2 Cube of 3.75 on the way to a 15th-place finish alongside a first attempt at the Pyraminx in 13.62. Dylan Jhosue Paredes Castillo also tried the Pyraminx for the first time, recording an 8.88, while Santiago Lanchango logged a first attempt at the 2x2x2 Cube in 4.77. Sebastian Josue Valencia Miranda reduced their 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 27 percent to 8.15. Meanwhile, Derek Tapia completed their first official Rubik's Cube attempt with a 27.42 solve in their debut appearance.

With all nine podium placements earned by representatives from Ecuador, Quito Free 2024 demonstrated both the top-tier speed of the nation's leading solvers and the depth of its developing roster. The balanced mix of swift 3x3 results and breakthrough milestone solves ensured that the single-day event left a lasting mark on the 2024 calendar as competitors look forward to the next season of local racing.