Stevenage Newcomers Sunday 2024

The tables across The Forum were filled with timers, mats, and turning puzzles as competitors gathered for a high-tempo day of speedcubing. The atmosphere inside the Stevenage venue was set by the rhythmic snapping of plastic layers and the steady focus of competitors running through their warmups. Enthusiasts of every background took their seats to test their reflexes on the official stage, ready to post marks across multiple categories in an active cubing competition that drew both seasoned solvers and rising talents from across the region.

Held in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom on March 10, 2024, Stevenage Newcomers Sunday 2024 featured a total of 151 competitors taking part in 5 rounds across 4 distinct events. The schedule brought together speed cubing specialists eager to push their personal limits on the classic Rubik's Cube alongside smaller formats and unconventional twisty puzzles. Across five rounds of intense solving, competitors from the United Kingdom swept all 12 podium positions on offer during the weekend.

The fastest format of the day, the 2x2x2 Cube, saw blistering times right from the opening solves among 128 competitors. Max Tully claimed victory with a remarkable 1.69 winning average, backed up by a best single solve of 1.42. Tully set the standard for speed, maintaining control across the five-solve sequence. Joshua Da Costa took second place with an average of 2.75 and a single of 1.75, while Alexandru Boca completed the podium in third with an average of 3.22 and a fastest single of 2.19.

The 3x3x3 Cube contest delivered dramatic moments throughout two competitive rounds featuring 147 competitors. Raphael Niman emerged at the top of the 3x3 results, capturing the title with a winning average of 9.13 and posting the fastest single of the category at 7.76. Alexandru Boca pushed Niman all the way to the final stop of the timer, securing the silver medal with a 9.22 average. Daniel Robinson took the bronze medal with a solid 10.46 average.

Away from the top of the podiums, the official scoreboards captured exceptional individual progress across the roster. Logan Tonon entered four events and delivered a massive leap on the 2x2x2 Cube, logging a personal best of 3.36 to improve upon a previous mark of 7.08 by 52.5 percent, while also making a first official appearance in Pyraminx with a 7.13 average to finish 18th. Sachin Veeramani showed significant growth by recording a 7.40 on 2x2x2 to better an earlier best of 14.95 by 50.5 percent, along with a 40.2 percent improvement on 3x3x3 with 27.12. Samuel Canagalla lowered a 2x2x2 best to 4.84, a 45.7 percent cut, and achieved a 45.8 percent reduction on 3x3x3 with 20.02. Leo Martin improved on 2x2x2 with 7.24, dropping 38.2 percent, alongside a 38.1 percent boost on Pyraminx with 10.39.

New event debuts also highlighted the depth of the field throughout the afternoon. Theo Trisk-Morris improved on 2x2x2 with 4.72, a 38.5 percent drop, and took on first career attempts in Pyraminx with 12.84 and Skewb with 16.92. Embry Adam Koehler tackled Pyraminx for the first time with 12.69 while shaving 37.2 percent off a previous Skewb best with 11.73. Taking part in a first career WCA competition, Ryan Bjarnram took on four events, securing a 24th-place finish in Pyraminx and making initial competition marks of 7.66 on 2x2x2, 13.61 on Skewb, and 31.14 on 3x3x3. Fellow debutant Jonny Jervis also contested four events, setting an initial mark of 8.50 for a 34th-place finish in Pyraminx, alongside debut times of 14.14 on Skewb and 34.89 on 3x3x3.

The Pyraminx event featured 120 competitors and concluded with Nathan Olano taking first place on an average of 3.51, highlighted by a single solve of 2.15. Raphael Niman added another podium to his tally by taking second place with an average of 3.98, while Ryan Jones locked down third place with a 5.50 average.

In the Skewb event, Ariel Benchetrit dominated the 90-competitor field to win with an average of 2.82 and a single of 2.25. Nathan Olano captured the runner-up position with an average of 5.18, and Amelie Court claimed the third podium step with a 5.40 average.

With fast turnarounds and decisive finishes, Stevenage Newcomers Sunday 2024 highlighted the sharpness of top-tier solving alongside the personal milestones of competitors broadening their event portfolios. The single-day fixture concluded having showcased fast hands, technical consistency, and steady development across the UK speedcubing circuit.