Speedcubers prove it’s hip to be square

Participants at the Solving in Sale speedcubing event. Photo: Contributed

EARLIER this month (April 15-16) Sale played host to Speedcubing Australia’s fourth annual “Solving in Sale” competition.

Eighty competitors from around the world gathered in Sale to solve cubes, and other shaped puzzles, as quickly as possible. This was the first time Feliks Zemdegs, holder of over 100 world records, joined other speedcubers at Catholic College Sale for the weekend.

Speedcubing world record holder Feliks Zemdegs (in black) at the 2023 Solving in Sale event.
Photo: Contributed

Of all the results, arguably the most noteworthy was the new Oceanic record for Pyraminx being set by Sale’s own Emmet Hobbs, who managed to solve his scrambled puzzle in a blistering 1.07 seconds – placing him equal 12th in the world for this puzzle. He will be heading to South Korea later in the year to compete against the world’s best.

A large number of other Gippsland cubers also joined in the activities of the weekend, including a Speedcubing-themed dinner at Sale Greyhounds. Middle of Everywhere prize packs were given to each of the winners for the weekend, and Sale looks forward to hosting an even bigger competition over the Easter school break next year.

Emmet Hobbs with a certificate certifying his Pyraminx puzzle-solving time.
Photo: Contributed