Welcome Back Calgary 2023

Lucas Kuczaj delivered a masterclass in precision on January 7, 2023, capturing three separate titles to set the pace for the new season. Competing at the Highland Park Community Association, Kuczaj produced a blistering 8.19 winning average in the 3x3x3 Cube alongside the fastest single solve of the entire discipline at 7.21 seconds. That commanding performance anchored an intense single-day cubing competition, bringing together 93 competitors in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for ten high-energy rounds spanning six official puzzle events.

The 2023 schedule opened in style as experienced hands returned to top form across multiple puzzle categories. In the premier 3x3 results, Kuczaj held off a determined field through three rounds of Rubik's Cube action. Ryan Yasinko took second place with a solid 9.07 average, while Ethan Basanov captured the final podium step at 9.73. Yasinko proved to be a consistent contender throughout the tournament, challenging for honours across nearly every format on the program.

Kuczaj extended his commanding run into the larger cubes and complex polyhedra. In the 4x4x4 Cube, where 62 competitors contested two rounds of play, Kuczaj claimed gold with a 32.31 average and a tournament-best single of 30.55. Yasinko again secured the runner-up spot with a 36.00 average, followed by Azaro Gorloo in third place at 39.82. The Megaminx event saw Kuczaj take his third victory of the weekend, setting a class apart with a 37.69 average and a 33.49 single solve.

The Megaminx podium saw Basanov earn silver with an average of 51.68, while Yasinko rounded out the top three in 1:15.04. Basanov found his own gold medal moment in the Pyraminx, leading a 72-competitor field with a 4.71 average and a 3.99 single. Kabir Johal placed second with a 4.91 average, just ahead of Yasinko who registered 5.12 for bronze. In Skewb, Aiden Chan snatched victory in a nail-biting final, averaging 5.26 to edge Noah Wilde by a single hundredth of a second at 5.27, with Jacob Swartz taking third in 5.57. Wilde bounced back in Square-1, winning with a 13.65 average over Yasinko at 15.33 and Basanov at 16.58.

Beyond the medals and podium battles, the heart of this WCA competition belonged to competitors charting massive personal breakthroughs. Coda K. Toll achieved an astounding improvement in the 4x4x4 Cube, posting a personal best of 58.24 seconds that trimmed 57.5 percent off a previous mark of 2:17.16, while also recording a first ever attempt at Square-1 with 30.86. Braxton Asprey took on four events, securing a best finish of 47th in Pyraminx while logging a personal best of 6.15 that beat a previous 12.72 by 51.7 percent, alongside a first ever attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube in 1:46.44.

Several other dedicated solvers broadened their competitive repertoire with notable milestone attempts across diverse events. Alexander Metzger entered six disciplines and placed sixth in Pyraminx while recording a first ever attempt at Square-1 of 23.31. Dave Virk tackled four events, setting a first ever attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube in 53.27. Claudio Vasquez completed a first ever attempt at Skewb with a 22.53 mark across four events entered. Liam Boodhoo took on all six disciplines and logged a first ever attempt at Square-1 in 1:37.22. Michael Sidock registered a first ever attempt at Pyraminx with 15.12, and Liz Melentyeva posted a first ever attempt at Pyraminx of 7.44 among five entered events.

The overall depth of the Canadian contingent was evident throughout the day, as Canadian solvers swept all 18 podium spots on offer. The speed cubing community demonstrated sharp form across the board, setting a series of benchmark times in early-round 3x3x3 heats. Solvers including Dave Virk, Aiden Chan, Max Qi Rui, and Huy Pham registered crisp single and average marks that set an encouraging tone for the regional racing calendar.

As the Highland Park Community Association venue emptied, Welcome Back Calgary 2023 stood as a vibrant showcase of regional speedcubing talent. From seasoned veterans reclaiming their place at the summit to ambitious solvers tackling new puzzles for the very first time, the gathering proved that the local scene is thriving. With sharp times across all six formats, the stage is set for an exciting year of competitive cubing.