Simi Mini B 2026

Thirty-six competitors gathered on February 8, 2026, creating a spirited atmosphere inside the Simi Valley Public Library. Across 7 fast-paced rounds, the single-day gathering offered a shared space for puzzle enthusiasts from across the region. Between matches, the floor was alive with the familiar clatter of plastic and the energy of solvers sharing techniques. Simi Mini B 2026 brought a compact yet intense schedule to Simi Valley, California, USA, proving that smaller fields often cultivate the tightest bonds among peers.

The focus of this cubing competition spanned three distinct disciplines: the classic Rubik's Cube, the triangular Pyraminx, and the corner-turning Skewb. Enthusiasts who showed up to practice their speedcubing craft were treated to a program that flowed seamlessly from early qualifying heats to tense finals. The venue allowed competitors, families, and judges to connect directly, turning routine side events into shared celebrations of problem-solving. With 36 competitors in the mix, every round felt personal, giving each participant a chance to shine under the timers.

In the headline 3x3x3 Cube event, three rounds of competition tested stamina and consistency. Kate Grahame delivered an exceptional display to claim the championship title, posting a winning average of 7.49 seconds along with a tournament-best single solve of 6.88 seconds. The final 3x3 results saw Caleb Cao take second place with an average of 9.61 seconds, while Franklin Pham secured third on the podium with a mark of 10.28 seconds. Grahame set the standard for precision, managing the pressure across all three stages.

The side events brought their own distinct excitement to the floor. In Pyraminx, Aaron Paskow demonstrated mastery over the tetrahedral puzzle across 2 rounds, taking victory with a winning average of 2.67 seconds and a best single solve of 2.32 seconds. Franklin Pham joined the podium once again by taking second place with a 3.90-second average, followed closely by Elijah Gabriel Ret in third with a 4.01-second mark. The brisk pacing of Pyraminx kept the venue energized as solvers pushed their turning speeds to the limit.

Skewb rounded out the puzzle selection with two engaging rounds among 22 competitors. Caleb Cao captured the top spot on the podium by delivering a 4.38-second winning average, highlighted by a sharp 3.70-second best single. Kate Grahame added another podium finish to her day by securing second place with an average of 4.76 seconds, while Sherry Tao finished third with a 5.01-second average. All nine podium positions across the tournament were claimed by United States representatives, showcasing a deep concentration of local speed cubing talent.

Beyond the podium finishes, the heart of Simi Mini B 2026 lived in the personal milestones achieved across the venue. Ostwald Eksteen registered a massive breakthrough, lowering their Pyraminx personal best to 6.01 seconds, which was an impressive 50 percent faster than their previous mark. Vansh Garg tackled three separate events, recording a first ever attempt at Skewb with a 10.70-second mark while slashing 46.1 percent off their Pyraminx personal best down to 7.08 seconds. Sam Rowe dropped 44.7 percent to set a Skewb personal best of 10.28 seconds, while Samuel Lee shaved 37.2 percent off their previous best in Pyraminx with a 7.19-second solve.

Other participants embraced new challenges and delivered standout personal milestones during this WCA competition. Hayden Michael Clark logged a first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a time of 12.86 seconds, alongside a 37.6 percent improvement in the 3x3x3 Cube down to 49.11 seconds. Mason Connor Hong reached an 8th place finish in Pyraminx while cutting their Skewb personal best by 35.4 percent to 5.37 seconds. Alejandro Ortiz placed 4th in Skewb after dropping their personal best by 23.7 percent down to 2.12 seconds. Meanwhile, Branch Stolpestad attended their first WCA competition, entering all three events and logging a 6.23-second Skewb, a 7.02-second Pyraminx, and a 36.41-second 3x3x3 Cube.

As the final rounds concluded, the spirit of mutual encouragement remained the defining memory of Simi Mini B 2026. Solvers exchanged puzzle hardware, discussed turn sequences, and celebrated personal records before heading home. The single-day tournament demonstrated how a tightly focused program can highlight both championship-level execution and grassroots progress. With another successful gathering in the books, the Southern California community looks ahead to continuing their shared passion in upcoming seasons.