Reno Winter 2024

Michael Larsen delivered the standout performance at Earl Wooster High School, capturing the classic 3x3x3 Cube title with a steady 8.41 average across three rounds. While Larsen registered the best single time of the event at 7.63 seconds, his sustained control through every solve proved decisive in a field of 38 competitors. The tournament highlighted how discipline and repeatable technique consistently outlast isolated flashes of speed, setting the tone for a high-caliber day of speedcubing in the Silver State.

Held on January 6, 2024, Reno Winter 2024 brought 38 competitors together in Reno, Nevada, USA, for a full day of puzzle action spanning 7 events and 12 distinct rounds of competition. The results in the main Rubik's Cube category reflected the intense preparation of the finalists. Jason Ostdiek locked in second place with a 9.75 average, while Jeff Chen completed the podium in third with an average of 10.58, underscoring the tight grouping at the upper end of the 3x3 results.

Larsen was not finished with just one victory, returning to the stage in the 4x4x4 Cube to take top honors once again. He posted a winning average of 34.75 alongside the fastest single solve of the event at 30.07. Jason Ostdiek took the runner-up spot with a 41.99 mark, followed by Jeff Chen at 45.71. Across both four-layered and standard puzzles, measured execution and efficient turning proved to be the winning formula in every bracket.

Jason Ostdiek established his own mastery across multiple disciplines, earning a trio of first-place finishes throughout the schedule. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, Ostdiek led a field of 22 participants with a winning average of 14.86, outpacing Jeff Chen's 16.12 and Larsen's 18.23. Ostdiek also claimed the Pyraminx title with a 4.24 average, finishing ahead of Sebastian Ekman's 4.68 and Larsen's 5.03, proving that speed cubing versatility rewards balanced, unhurried turning under pressure.

In the memory-intensive 3x3x3 Blindfolded event, Ostdiek captured his third win of Reno Winter 2024 by securing a single solve of 48.24 seconds, leading the 12-competitor field where Caleb Suh finished second in 1:38.13 and Jeremy Benik placed third in 1:49.79. Meanwhile, the specialized Square-1 bracket saw Calvin Nielson take first place with a dominant 8.35 average, well clear of Larsen in second at 15.69 and Ostdiek in third at 16.20.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several participants made major leaps forward on the tournament floor. Brayden Scott tackled 6 events and cut 35.1 percent from his previous best in Square-1 to finish with a mark of 30.33, earning 12th place. Malachi Severson posted a massive improvement in Pyraminx with a 10.86 personal best, running 34.7 percent faster than his prior record, alongside a 23.20 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube. Patrick Hildebrandt improved his 2x2x2 Cube standard by 34.4 percent down to 9.04 seconds, while Adam A. Nutting shaved 27.1 percent off his classic cube best, dropping his mark to 46.17.

First-time appearances in specific events also brought notable achievements across the venue. Derek Cooley entered 6 events, trying 3x3x3 Blindfolded for the first time to place 5th with a 2:14.08, while also attempting 2x2x2 Cube for the first time with a 5.76 single. Mason Forster took on 6 events, notching first-ever marks of 59.25 in 4x4x4 Cube and 25.49 in 3x3x3 One-Handed. Jacob Kotik attended his first WCA competition, competing in 6 events and achieving a 7th-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a 22.02 initial attempt. Oliver Jay Peterson also debuted at the cubing competition, recording his first official attempts in Pyraminx at 17.22, 2x2x2 Cube at 19.37, and the 3x3x3 Cube at 53.05.

The 2x2x2 Cube event showcased exceptional pacing, with Ezra Severson capturing the victory behind a blistering 2.40 winning average. Larsen secured second with a 3.40 average, while Jeremy Benik finished third at 3.81. United States competitors swept all 21 available podium spots across the seven disciplines, capping a memorable gathering of talent.

The tournament demonstrated how dependable solving underpins success across diverse formats, from one-handed solving to blindfolded execution. As Reno Winter 2024 concluded, competitors departed Earl Wooster High School with fresh personal milestones and valuable round experience, establishing solid momentum as they look forward to future challenges in the coming year.