Turnin' in Termonfeckin Sunday 2023

Tymon Kolasiński delivered a masterclass in relentless control at Turnin' in Termonfeckin Sunday 2023, capturing the premier 3x3x3 Cube title with a blistering 5.91 winning average across three intense rounds. On a day where single-solve flukes counted for little, Kolasiński paired a best single of 5.64 with an unyielding rhythm that left no doubt about who controlled the table. The performance anchored an action-packed day of speedcubing at St Fechins GAA Club, where 72 competitors assembled to test their mettle across eight diverse disciplines.

Held on March 12, 2023, in Termonfeckin, Drogheda, Louth, Ireland, the one-day WCA competition showcased how steady pacing beats raw luck. While isolated fast solves drew attention, the podiums consistently rewarded those who could replicate their execution solve after solve. The 3x3 results underlined this trend: Kolasiński led the field, while Richard Madden secured second place with an 8.22 average and Namuun Natsagdorj took third with a 10.90 mark. Across ten rounds of play, the tournament rewarded athletes whose poise held firm under pressure.

Madden emerged as the most prolific force across the schedule, demonstrating remarkable consistency across multiple puzzle formats. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Madden locked down the title with a 2.67 average, holding off Natsagdorj at 2.89 and Rían Burke at 3.20. Madden repeated that composure in Pyraminx, turning in an authoritative 2.97 winning average to lead Conor Ryan McMorrow and Kevin Tspon. His third victory arrived in Square-1, where a disciplined 11.69 average and an 8.19 single secured the top step ahead of Burke and Liam Craven.

The big cubes and specialty events further highlighted the supremacy of steady averages. Kolasiński claimed his second victory of Turnin' in Termonfeckin Sunday 2023 in the 5x5x5 Cube, finishing with an impressive 43.28 average and a best single of 41.07. James Tyrrell secured second place in that event with a 1:11.69 average, closely trailed by Madden at 1:12.54. In Megaminx, Maeve Hickey displayed stellar control across twelve faces, capturing first place with a 1:02.54 average, outlasting Madden's 1:05.65 and Prabhav Rajaram Nayak's 1:09.26.

Away from the top tiers of the podium, the weekend was defined by immense personal progression across the ranks. Brodie Byrne posted some of the day's biggest drops, slicing his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 79.4 percent down to 5.44, while taking his Pyraminx mark to 9.59 and his Rubik's Cube best to 25.11. Shaobo Ma contested four events, setting a 2x2x2 personal best of 4.13, which was 39.2 percent faster than before, alongside first-time marks in Pyraminx and 5x5x5 Cube. Darius Frent took on three events, dropping his Pyraminx personal best by 38.3 percent to 7.50, while Tyler Doherty lowered his 3x3x3 mark by 35.1 percent to 23.29.

The competitive spirit of speed cubing was equally visible in those tackling fresh challenges for the first time. Caelan Tan made a tournament debut at this cubing competition, taking on four events and earning a nineteenth-place finish in 3x3x3 Cube alongside marks in Megaminx, Pyraminx, and 2x2x2 Cube. Josie Dearn also made a tournament debut, logging times in three puzzles including a 17.94 single on 2x2x2. Leon Imiela contested six events, registering first-ever marks in Clock, Megaminx, and 5x5x5 Cube, while Kazim Haider entered seven events, securing a fourth-place finish on 2x2x2 Cube alongside fresh entries in Clock, Megaminx, and 5x5x5.

Specialized events provided their own distinct drama throughout the afternoon. In Clock, Natsagdorj found the perfect cadence to take first place with a 7.25 average, finishing ahead of Burke's 8.78 and Ben Timmons' 8.82. Natsagdorj also demonstrated remarkable focus in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, taking the gold with a best single of 1:14.92 in an event requiring total spatial recall, followed on the podium by Simon Kelly at 1:19.21 and Hickey at 1:48.06.

Across the entire program, Turnin' in Termonfeckin Sunday 2023 celebrated the depth of Irish and international speedcubing talent in 2023. Irish solvers claimed 17 podium spots on home soil, with Mongolian competitors securing four, Poland taking two, and India claiming one. By the time the final timers were cleared, the gathering in Louth proved that while a single swift scramble can be exhilarating, sustained composure over a full average remains the true standard of excellence.