Welcome back to the Speedcuber’s Digest Weekend Preview, where we look ahead at the potential storylines going into the weekend.
Zajder and Kolasiński Meet in Koluszki
Teodor Zajder and Tymon Kolasiński will faceoff at Cube Factory League Koluszki, November 7-8 in Poland. Zajder’s 4.37 (WR8) best 3x3 average gives him a slight edge over Kolasiński’s 4.49 (WR11).
Zajder also leads 2x2 at 0.93 (WR5), ahead of Kolasiński at 1.08 (WR19). Kolasiński is the clear favorite in 4x4 and 5x5, in which he has 3 of the 4 possible WCA world records between the two events.
The 3BLD field offers another close matchup. Krzysztof Bober has a 15.02 single, just 0.04 ahead of Stanisław Szyszka.
Geng Leads Hainan
Xuanyi Geng brings a 3.67 (WR2) WCA best average to Sunday’s Hainan Open. Yi Shen follows at 4.24 (WR3), with Yunzhi Lian at 4.27 (WR6) and Qixian Cao at 4.43 (WR10).
Geng also leads 4x4 at 26.03, ahead of Yusheng Du at 26.76. Ziyu Ye tops both 2x2 and Skewb, with best averages of 1.04 and 1.92.
Dong, Shen and Lian Entered in Dandong and Shenyang
Yize Dong leads Saturday’s Dandong Yalu River Open with a 4.07 (WR3) best 3x3 average, ahead of Shen at 4.24 and Lian at 4.27.
All three are also entered in Shenyang Winter League 3x3 I on Monday, November 9. Yaqian Xu is also at both competitions with a 5.04 (WR18) best.
Three Close Contenders for Minnesota’s Title
Just 0.17 seconds separates the Minnesota residents at Minnesota Championship, November 7-8 in St. Cloud.
Kaius Young leads the state’s 3x3 contenders at 6.97, followed by Christoph Wu at 7.08 and Nathan Rahn at 7.14.
The overall field is led by Mihir Narayan at 6.23 and Nathan Phillips at 6.64. Phillips also leads 5x5 through 7x7. Rahn is the top overall seed in 2x2 and Square-1.
Mozambique’s WCA Debut
Mozambique Nationals takes place Saturday in Maputo, marking the country’s first WCA competition.
Arnelio Manaca Mola leads the Mozambican 3x3 field with a 12.61 best average. Most local entrants are newcomers, so the title race includes plenty of unknowns.
Sweden’s Daniel Wallin leads all six events overall, including 3x3 at 6.63. National honours go to Mozambican competitors, with three places in the 3x3 final reserved for them.
Mangen and Glod Lead Luxembourg’s Title Race
Philippe Mangen leads the home 3x3 field at Luxembourg Nationals, November 7-8. His 10.83 best average is 0.28 ahead of Carlo Glod.
Germany’s Imanuel Müller leads the overall field at 5.78. Switzerland’s Alwin Rölz tops 4x4 through 7x7.
Only Luxembourg competitors can claim national podium places. The organizers reserve final-round places for the six fastest Luxembourgers in each event.
Lesotho’s First Competition Comes Wednesday
Lesotho Nationals follows on Wednesday, November 11, in Maseru. It will be the country’s first WCA competition.
Liteboho Martin Mobe is the only registered Lesotho competitor with an existing WCA ID. His best 3x3 average is 23.38; the other 10 local entrants are newcomers.
Wallin leads all five events overall. Only Lesotho competitors can claim national honours, and three places in the 3x3 final are reserved for them.