Ropaži Winter 2025

Mikus Lembergs delivered the defining performance of the weekend by sweeping all three blindfolded categories, highlighted by a sharp 57.40 single solve in 3x3x3 Blindfolded. The venue at Kafe/Bistro Vēja Ligzda set an intimate stage across January 25 and 26 in Ropaži, Latvia. While high-stakes puzzle solving commanded attention on the stage, the gathering functioned as an inviting haven for competitors sharing advice, algorithms, and friendly banter between rounds. The cozy cafe setting fostered a shared community spirit where seasoned solvers and newcomers spent hours collaborating over complex scrambles.

The 2025 meet brought together 15 competitors taking part in 17 total rounds across 11 distinct disciplines. Rather than concentrating purely on standard Rubik's Cube races, the schedule placed an emphasis on niche specialty events. Enthusiasts exchanged tips on finger tricks and memorisation routes during warm-ups, creating a supportive backdrop for every attempt. Speedcubing in this setting was as much about communal encouragement as it was about the race against the timer, turning each round into an opportunity for mutual learning and shared progress.

Mattheo de Wit put on a commanding display across multiple disciplines, earning first place in three separate events. Representing the Netherlands, de Wit topped the Megaminx standings with a 43.23 final average and the best single time of 40.37, ahead of Latvia's Roberts Dreijers at 58.70 and Matīss Maksis Podinskis at 1:11.14. De Wit also secured victory in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a 15.90 winning average, and captured the Skewb title with a 3.01 average, edging past Oskars Kaminskis at 4.87 and Dreijers at 5.50.

Kaminskis earned top honors in both Pyraminx and Clock, recording a 4.06 average in Pyraminx and a 6.60 mark in Clock. Dreijers took first place in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a 38.33 average, just ahead of Jānis Zirnis at 38.67 and Kaminskis at 43.33, while also taking gold in Square-1 with an 11.19 average. In 3x3x3 Multi-Blind, Kasparas Lienys of Lithuania claimed the top spot by successfully completing 8 out of 9 cubes within the 1:00:00 time limit, finishing ahead of Zirnis with 10 of 15 and Lembergs with 9 of 15.

Beyond the podium battles, the heart of Ropaži Winter 2025 emerged from personal breakthroughs away from the trophy tables. Mihails Teļkijevs tackled nine separate events, achieving a remarkable 41.8 percent improvement on his Skewb best with a 4.42 mark, while slicing 25.8 percent off his Megaminx standard to reach 2:35.08 and improving his Pyraminx time by 15.2 percent to 7.78. Emanuels Stupelis entered six events and logged personal bests in three, cutting his Fewest Moves record by 7.3 percent to 51, his Megaminx by 7.0 percent to 1:59.24, and his One-Handed standard by 3.6 percent to 23.47.

Fresh faces and dedicated veterans alike embraced the challenge of trying unfamiliar disciplines in a friendly atmosphere. Artūrs Jakovļevs made his WCA competition debut at Ropaži Winter 2025, recording a 2:00.58 in Megaminx for an eighth-place finish and logging his first Clock attempt at 31.44. Pēteris Zvaunis also attended his first speed cubing event, completing his maiden official Megaminx attempt in 5:46.80. Gints Mazurs achieved a personal best of 40.72 in One-Handed, an improvement of 5.7 percent, while trying Megaminx and Pyraminx for the first time with marks of 3:36.59 and 7.33 respectively. Olīvija Slavīte marked her second career appearance by logging her first official attempts in Pyraminx at 21.19 and Skewb at 24.65.

Blindfolded solving provided continuous drama throughout the weekend, demanding complete concentration and flawless memorisation from the competitors. Lembergs led the 4x4x4 Blindfolded discipline with a winning single time of 4:13.04, with Zirnis following in 12:08.00 and Lienys recording 12:18.00. In the 5x5x5 Blindfolded division, Lembergs stood alone as the sole competitor to log a successful completion, registering a winning time of 12:22.00 after navigating the intricate memory sequence on the larger puzzle.

When the final timers clicked off, the overall podium tally showed Latvia capturing 24 top-three positions, the Netherlands taking 7, and Lithuania finishing with 3. With competitors analyzing 3x3 results, discussing tactical approaches, and breaking down complex scrambles together, this cubing competition exemplified the close bonds within the regional scene. The weekend in Ropaži proved that technical mastery and genuine peer support go hand in hand whenever the community gathers around the solve mat.