Unley Spring 2024

Miles Fetherston produced a stunning double-gold performance at Unley Spring 2024, securing top honours in both the 2x2x2 Cube and Clock events during a packed schedule in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. The single-day tournament on November 2, 2024 brought 74 competitors together at Unley Town Hall for five fast-paced disciplines spanning ten total rounds. Fetherston posted a sharp 2.47 average in the 2x2x2 Cube final and added a 5.29 winning mark in Clock, setting the tone for an intensely competitive day of speedcubing action in front of local fans.

The morning schedule opened with early qualification rounds that immediately established a high standard of play. In Pyraminx, Oliver Hutchinson took command across two rounds of play, finishing atop the podium with a 2.74 winning average and an event-best single of 2.20. Hutchinson remained a constant fixture at the front of the pack all day, keeping the pressure on the rest of the field in every bracket he entered. Cody Driver followed closely in the Pyraminx final to capture second place with a 3.58 average, while Nathan Nairn locked down third place on a 3.67 mark.

The middle stretch of the cubing competition turned toward mechanical variation and single-round shootouts. In Clock, Fetherston and Hutchinson engaged in a direct battle for the title, with Fetherston claiming gold at 5.29 ahead of Hutchinson's 5.41 average, while Nairn secured another third-place finish with an 8.08 average. Skewb provided its own dramatic moments over a single decisive round of 43 competitors. Jonah Blakeley clinched the Skewb title with an impressive 3.72 average and a 3.01 single, outpacing Gerard McGinley's 4.59 average and Charlie Fry's 4.76 to claim the top spot on the podium.

As the afternoon progressed into the shorter puzzle events, the 2x2x2 Cube reached its decisive three-round conclusion among 64 entrants. Fetherston maintained his composure in the final, taking the victory with a 2.47 average. Hutchinson earned yet another medal by taking second place with a 2.58 average, while Jaedon Ross of India claimed third place with a 3.01 average. Ross's podium finish was notable as the lone non-Australian placement across all fifteen podium spots awarded during the entire gathering.

Behind the top podium positions, several competitors delivered outstanding personal milestones that defined the depth of the field. Nathanial Taylor took on five events, improving his Clock personal best by 44.1 percent to 19.31, trimming his Skewb mark by 41.2 percent to 4.36, and shaving his Pyraminx average to 4.66. Andreas Kondrusik also tackled five disciplines, cutting 42.5 percent off his 3x3x3 Cube best to reach 20.28, lowering his 2x2x2 Cube best to 4.34, and recording a first ever attempt at Skewb with 9.64. Shahzaib Arvin Khan registered a huge 41.2 percent jump on the classic cube to 28.90 while also making a maiden Skewb attempt of 20.50.

Other competitors made their presence felt through ambitious schedules and breakthrough marks across the board. Paul Elder dropped his 2x2x2 Cube time by 40.6 percent to 5.52 while making a first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 6.43. Harry Thompson contested five events, achieving a best finish of 7th in Pyraminx with a personal best of 4.91, alongside first ever attempts in Clock at 9.63 and Skewb at 6.68. Oswin Bright cut his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 35.2 percent to 14.30 and took his first attempt at Pyraminx with 12.56. First-time WCA competition debutants also stepped up, as Oscar Sinclair Were entered four events and put up a 3.41 2x2x2 Cube single, while Prajeedh Peter Bamuthevan notched an 11th-place Skewb finish and a 21.85 first attempt at the Rubik's Cube.

The final session of the tournament brought all eyes to the marquee 3x3x3 Cube event, which featured the full roster of 74 competitors whittled down over three rounds. Peri Le Dain delivered a masterclass in efficiency, capturing the championship with a winning average of 8.92 and the tournament's fastest single solve of 7.57. Adrian Oon took the silver medal with a 9.88 average, while Hutchinson completed his remarkably busy weekend by collecting the bronze medal with a 10.30 average.

The official 3x3 results brought an exhilarating conclusion to Unley Spring 2024 at Unley Town Hall. With five different disciplines contested, Australian speed cubing talent showcased sharp form across multiple formats, from blistering short-puzzle sprints to complex mechanical puzzles. As the 2024 season moves forward, the deep fields and fierce rivalries seen in Adelaide demonstrate the continued momentum of the regional speedcubing community.