Vegas Cubing Cup Fall 2024

Inside the halls of The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, the gathering energy of speedcubing brought together 108 solvers for an action-packed single day on November 2, 2024. Long before the final rounds took the stage, practice tables were filled with competitors trading solving tips, trying out new hardware, and catching up with longtime friends. The buzz of plastic turning filled the room between scheduled calls as enthusiasts of all skill levels shared their passion for solving across 10 rounds and five different disciplines.

This edition of Vegas Cubing Cup Fall 2024 served as a vibrant showcase of the wider community spirit that defines every WCA competition. For many attending, the camaraderie outside the competition lanes was just as important as the times posted on the display timers. Side events and casual solve sessions kept everyone engaged throughout the weekend, creating an environment where newcomers and seasoned regulars mixed freely to celebrate speed cubing in all its forms.

When official attempts began, the spotlight shifted naturally to the marquee event, the standard 3x3x3 Cube, which brought 107 competitors to the tables across three stages of action. In the final round, Max Park emerged victorious, securing top honors with a winning average of 6.33 seconds and registering the best single time of the tournament at 4.95 seconds. Jeremy Bulambot pushed hard to earn second place with a 6.45 average, while Dan Tran rounded out the podium in third with an 8.49 mark in the official 3x3 results.

The 2x2x2 Cube event delivered rapid drama across two rounds featuring 96 entrants, where Dominic Shoji captured first place with an impressive 2.08 winning average and a best single of 1.51 seconds. Dan Tran took second place on the podium with a 2.28 average, while Jeremy Bulambot earned third with a 2.34 mark. The event also featured a flurry of personal milestones throughout the rounds as competitors pushed their limits on the quick two-layer puzzle.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, the heart of the event lived in the personal milestones achieved across the venue. Mason Reyes delivered a massive improvement in the 3x3x3 Cube, cutting their personal best down to 13.68 seconds, which was 57.6 percent faster than their prior mark. Joshua Crockett chopped 61 percent off their previous 2x2x2 Cube best to post a 4.03 single, while also logging a first official attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 2:08.40. Richard Ye sliced 57.4 percent off their 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best with a 33.21 single and recorded a 58.84 in 4x4x4 Cube. David Moreno tackled five events, achieving a personal best 4x4x4 Cube single of 1:13.03 by going 45.1 percent faster, while recording first-ever attempts in both 3x3x3 One-Handed at 29.71 and Megaminx at 2:12.87.

Fresh faces and dedicated veterans continued to rewrite their own record sheets throughout the day. Ian Morel improved their 3x3x3 One-Handed best by 40.2 percent with a 54.30 single, while also carving 35.5 percent off their 4x4x4 Cube mark down to 1:31.25. Maddox Hutfilz dropped their 4x4x4 Cube best by 36.7 percent to hit 48.60 seconds alongside a debut Megaminx effort of 2:24.16. First-time attendees made an immediate impression as well: Luke Myers debuted with a 19.35 single in 3x3x3 Cube, a 44.83 in 3x3x3 One-Handed, and a 5.74 in 2x2x2 Cube. Bennett Spiva also completed their first WCA competition by posting debut singles of 27.42 in 3x3x3 Cube, 54.23 in 3x3x3 One-Handed, and 2:03.46 in 4x4x4 Cube.

Larger puzzles and specialized formats broadened the day, highlighted by the 4x4x4 Cube tournament where 68 competitors took part. Max Park claimed first place with a 20.54 average and a 17.29 single, leading Dan Tran in second at 29.20 and Michael Larsen in third at 29.59. Park then earned another victory in 3x3x3 One-Handed, recording a 9.70 winning average and an 8.77 single among 66 entrants, finishing ahead of Jeremy Bulambot at 11.50 and Dan Tran at 11.84.

The twelve-sided Megaminx challenged 36 solvers over a single decisive round, with Michael Muething capturing the title behind an average of 39.72 seconds and a single of 35.56. Shiloh D'Espyne took second place with a 49.18 average, while Dan Tran secured third at 52.69, completing a versatile day with podium finishes across four separate disciplines. Across all events, competitors representing the USA secured all 15 available podium spots.

As the final timers clicked shut, Vegas Cubing Cup Fall 2024 concluded having demonstrated the unique mix of high-level Rubik's Cube mastery and shared community passion that defines the sport. With shared handshakes, analyzed solves, and newly minted personal milestones, competitors departed the casino floor looking forward to another gathering around the tables in the coming season.