Virginia Still-Open Winter 2024

Fifty-one competitors took their seats for the 5x5x5 Cube, where the sheer volume of pieces turns every solve into a test of stamina and mental endurance. Solving large puzzles demands prolonged physical precision, as turning fatigue accumulates across long sequences of edge pairing and centre building. At Virginia Still-Open Winter 2024, held on February 4, 2024, at Newcomb Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, the big cubes set a rigorous standard. Ari Randers-Pehrson emerged on top of the 5x5x5 podium with a winning average of 50.99 seconds and a best single of 48.52 seconds.

The 5x5x5 Cube contest concluded with Ashten Jampayas securing second place with an average of 1:00.31, while Michael Nielsen claimed third place with a mark of 1:06.79. Managing the complexity of high-order layers requires deep focus, and Randers-Pehrson demonstrated complete mastery throughout the single round of play. The performance established the tone for a busy single-day tournament that welcomed 109 competitors across five different disciplines in 2024 speedcubing action.

The precision demanded by the larger puzzles carried directly into the 4x4x4 Cube, which featured two rounds among a field of 77 solvers. Ari Randers-Pehrson doubled up on major puzzle titles by winning the final round with an average of 25.78 seconds and the fastest single of the event at 22.97 seconds. Ashten Jampayas followed in second place with a 29.34 average, while Michael Nielsen completed the top three with 32.29 seconds, mirroring the exact podium composition seen in the 5x5x5 Cube.

While the big cubes highlighted stamina, the classic Rubik's Cube drew the largest crowd of the tournament with 108 competitors across three rounds. Michael Nielsen took the title in the 3x3x3 Cube, recording a winning average of 6.61 seconds along with a round single of 6.14. Ashten Jampayas earned the runner-up position with an average of 7.29 seconds, while Ryland Wilson took third place with 8.09 seconds. The official 3x3 results capped an intense day of classic turning at the Charlottesville venue.

The Virginia Still-Open Winter 2024 program also tested alternate formats and non-cubic geometry across its 10 total rounds. Ryland Wilson earned victory in the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, putting up a winning average of 13.66 seconds and a best single of 12.57 seconds to lead a 62-person field. Brayden Adams took second with 14.32 seconds, followed closely by Raghav Reddy in third with 14.62 seconds. In the Pyraminx, Michael Nielsen secured his second event victory of the day, averaging 1.82 seconds across the final round to beat Ashten Jampayas with 3.71 seconds and Parker Drumheller with 4.01 seconds.

Beyond the trophies, the cubing competition provided a stage for several personal milestones across the community. Avery Lee cut their 3x3x3 Cube personal best down to 31.19 seconds, improving by 40.9 percent over their previous best of 52.80, while also logging a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed with 1:02.23 and a first Pyraminx mark of 6.93 seconds. Aidan Royal Knepel shaved 37.1 percent off their 3x3x3 One-Handed record to post 31.22 seconds, along with a 12.24 3x3x3 best and a first Pyraminx attempt of 5.11 seconds for a 12th-place finish. Liam Courtney Collins lowered their Pyraminx mark by 37 percent to 6.36 seconds and registered a first 4x4x4 Cube solve of 1:17.50, and Theodore Oh dropped their Pyraminx personal best by 36.3 percent to 8.96 seconds alongside a first 4x4x4 attempt of 1:41.26.

Multiple entrants took on expansive schedules across the weekend. Weston Borodin took on 5 events entered here, achieving a best finish of 22nd in 5x5x5 Cube with a first ever attempt of 1:42.75 while adding a first 4x4x4 time of 47.76. Albert Mao entered 5 events entered here, earning a best finish of 9th in Pyraminx while logging a first 3x3x3 One-Handed attempt of 19.74 seconds, a first 4x4x4 Cube attempt of 52.58, and a first 5x5x5 Cube solve of 1:49.54. Ethan Gough attended this was their first WCA competition, taking on 5 events entered here with a 14.86 first 3x3x3 attempt and a 7.20 Pyraminx mark. Yisrael Leib Toplin also marked this was their first WCA competition by entering 5 events, recording a 17.75 first 3x3x3 attempt and a 1:20.71 on the 4x4x4 Cube.

The gathering served as a prime display of speed cubing versatility, bringing together new solvers alongside seasoned tournament regulars. All 15 podium positions throughout the five events went to competitors representing the USA. Virginia Still-Open Winter 2024 demonstrated how both long-format concentration and rapid solving combine to shape a memorable WCA competition in the heart of Virginia.

As the tables were cleared at Newcomb Hall, the results affirmed the wide range of technical skill present across the region. From the rigorous endurance required on the big layers to the explosive sprint finishes of the Pyraminx, Virginia Still-Open Winter 2024 provided a balanced test of discipline and speed.