Stevenage May 2024

Six different events and seventeen distinct rounds filled the competition tables at The Forum as Stevenage May 2024 gathered an energetic roster of 183 competitors on May 11 and May 12, 2024. The weekend presented a rich variety of puzzle formats in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, testing participants across classic twisty puzzles, shape-shifting challenges, mechanical clockfaces, and heavy multi-layered cubes. From lightning-fast quick-fire events to endurance tests spanning multiple layers, this major speedcubing gathering showcased the depth and technical range required across modern tournament disciplines.

The flagship 3x3x3 Cube event drew a packed field of 168 participants across four full rounds of speed cubing action. Poland's Tymon Kolasiński established early dominance and maintained it through the final, posting a winning average of 5.57 seconds alongside the weekend's best single solve of 5.11 seconds. James Alonso secured the second step of the podium for the United Kingdom with a final average of 6.74 seconds, while fellow countryman Noah Calderon-Kamata completed the top three with an average of 8.20 seconds, capping off a remarkable set of 3x3 results at the venue.

Kolasiński continued his commanding form as the puzzle sizes expanded into big-cube territory. In the 4x4x4 Cube, which drew 87 entrants over three rounds, he took first place with a 23.89-second winning average and a single of 20.57 seconds. Harvie Partridge claimed second place with a 30.78-second average, followed by James Alonso in third with 31.73 seconds. Kolasiński then sealed a triple-gold weekend in the 6x6x6 Cube, recording a winning mark of 1:18.16 across a single round of 48 competitors, ahead of Cham J. Chambers at 1:37.10 and Noah Calderon-Kamata at 1:52.56.

Short-format events delivered equally fierce competition among large fields at Stevenage May 2024. In the 2x2x2 Cube, 126 entrants battled through three rounds before James Alonso captured the title with a swift 1.61-second average and a best single solve of 1.27 seconds. Daniel Robinson finished as the runner-up with an average of 1.86 seconds, while Noah Calderon-Kamata took third place with 1.91 seconds. The Skewb event also brought 126 competitors together across four rounds, culminating in a victory for Ariel Benchetrit, who averaged 2.25 seconds to defeat Harry Owen at 3.05 and Harvie Partridge at 3.78.

The unique mechanics of the Clock event rounded out the weekend's diverse lineup, requiring precise dial manipulation across two rounds of play. Monty Fox emerged victorious among 85 competitors, taking first place with an impressive winning average of 4.38 seconds and a fast single of 3.55 seconds. Dorian Chan of Hong Kong finished second with a 4.82-second average, while Matt Stephenson earned third place for the United Kingdom with a 5.02-second mark. Overall, host nation competitors secured 14 podium finishes across the six contested disciplines.

Beyond the championship trophies, this WCA competition saw countless personal milestones across every stage of the schedule. Frederick Wise entered five events and made his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 1:48.95, while dropping his Skewb personal best down to 4.62 seconds, which was 77.9 percent faster than his previous mark. Ethan Lam took on all six events on the schedule, achieving a 20th place finish in the 3x3x3 Cube alongside maiden official attempts in Clock at 11.43 seconds and 6x6x6 Cube at 3:55.99. Oriol Rubi Schmack achieved a 58.8 percent improvement in 2x2x2 Cube with a 3.49-second personal best, while Aron Radman posted a first Skewb attempt of 8.18 seconds and improved his 3x3x3 Cube best by 20.7 percent down to 15.86 seconds.

Other dedicated solvers also rewrote their personal records across multiple puzzle disciplines during the meet. Harry Shamash recorded a first official 4x4x4 Cube solve of 1:30.11 and lowered his 2x2x2 Cube best by 41.6 percent to 2.95 seconds. Batu Kirbay tackled first attempts in both the 4x4x4 Cube at 1:38.57 and the 6x6x6 Cube at 4:46.25, while also setting a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 9.11 seconds. Seth Sydney registered a first attempt in Skewb at 7.12 seconds and took 23rd in the 2x2x2 Cube with a new personal best of 2.31 seconds. Meanwhile, Mason Adam Jarvis tackled five events, recording his first Clock attempt at 30.38 seconds and slicing 35 percent off his 3x3x3 Cube best with a 23.11-second mark.

The vibrant atmosphere across The Forum proved once again how a broad mix of puzzle formats brings out the best in the speedcubing community. Whether navigating the intricate dials of the Clock, mastering the corner turns of the Skewb, or racing through classic Rubik's Cube solutions, every event brought its own distinct rhythm and technical demands. As Stevenage May 2024 came to a close, the weekend demonstrated how a well-balanced cubing competition tests both versatility and pure turning speed at the highest levels of the sport.