Speedcubing Championship «Welcome to Academy 2018» at the Passenger Port of St. Petersburg
06 November 2018
Last weekend the largest championship in speedcubing "Welcome to Academy 2018" took place in St. Petersburg on the territory of the Passenger port. The event was organized by the Autonomous non-profit organization of additional education "Academy of speedcubing". The event was held at two sea stations: the Rubik's Cube festival was conducted on the second station for all interested, and the championship itself was held on the third. It was the largest 20th anniversary competition and the first Rubik's Cube Festival in St. Petersburg. Speedcubing is an intellectual sport for people of all ages. Anyone could take part in the competition and try their luck by returning the mixed colors of the cube to the original position. The so-called "speedcubers" came to the competition from all over the country and from all over the world: from the Republic of Komi, the Republic of Karelia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Finland, China, the Netherlands and the USA. All participants competed in the following disciplines: 2х2, 3×3, 4х4, 5х5, 3х3 one-handed, 3х3-5х5 blind, 3х3 multiblind, 3×3 fewest moves, Skewb, Square-1, Pyraminx, Megaminx, Rubik's Clock.
Along with the newbies, the competition was attended by such stars of speedcubing as the European champion in the solving of the 5×5 cube blindfolded, Roman Strakhov, national champion of Russia, Dmitry Dobryakov, national champion of Kazakhstan, Farid Mikhailov, and other stars of speedcubing. In total about three hundred sportsmen, aged from 5 to 50 took part in the championship. Among them there were 70 newcomers, those who took part in the official competitions held under the auspices of the world cube Association for the first time.
The Deputy of Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, Konstantin Chebykin, the Head of Commercial department of the Passenger port of Saint-Petersburg, Leonid Marienko, and Director of the Academy of speedcubing Andrew Kristesashvili addressed the participants and guests of the competition with welcoming speech.
As part of the Welcome to Academy 2018 an autograph session with Mats Falk - the author of several world records (one of the most impressive among which was 4.74 seconds in the competition in 2016) was held. Mats Falk is the reigning champion of Europe and one of the most eminent speedcubers in the world. Mats has a great experience and shares it readily with young speedcubers. Another special guest of the event was the President of the Speedcubing Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Arman Mashimov.
Competitions at the Passenger port of St. Petersburg were held under the auspices of the World Cube Association (WCA). As a result of the championship, 27 sets of awards were drawn, including 15 official and 12 unofficial disciplines, including the category "Children under 9" and "Women's League" - a discipline first held in Russia in the framework of the official Championships.
The prize places for solving classic Rubik’s Cube, in the face of severe competition, were distributed ass follows:
3rd place-two-time European champion, Sergey Ryabko, Obninsk, Kaluga region-8.80 seconds
2nd place-national record holder of Russia, Dmitry Dobryakov, St. Petersburg, - 7.86 seconds
1st place-multiple European champion, Mats Falk, Netherlands-7.67 seconds.
Thanks to the sponsors and organizers of the event, all participants received Souvenirs and gifts, and were able to spend time in the entertainment area of the Rubik's Cube festival, where everyone tested their skills in high-speed Assembly of paintings consisting of cubes. Participants and guests of "Welcome to Academy 2018" specially focused on the unique venue of the event, convenient and beautiful location, as well as safety measures and comfortable conditions for children.
