Welcome back to the Speedcuber’s Digest Weekend Preview, where we look ahead at the potential storylines going into the weekend.
Austria’s First National Titles
Austria’s first nationals take place October 30-November 1 in Vienna. Alexey Tsvetkov leads the overall 3x3 field at 5.50, ahead of Gergő Zalán Molnár at 5.72.
The Austrian title is a closer race. Thomas Strasser leads at 7.19, followed by Florian Truckenthanner at 7.39 and Simon Praschl at 7.64. The top eight Austrians will solve in an old-style head-to-head final.
Praschl also leads the Austrian blindfolded fields, with a 13.51 3BLD single and a 55/57 Multi-Blind result. Switzerland’s Alwin Rölz is the top overall seed in 4x4 through 7x7.
Ecuador’s Champion Faces Two Close Challengers
Anthony Gerard Álvarez Ludeña returns to defend his 3x3 title at Ecuador Nationals, October 30-November 1 in Ambato.
His 8.05 best leads Caleb Salcedo Rivera at 8.32 and Justin Santiago Reinoso Arias at 8.54. All three represent Ecuador.
Álvarez Ludeña and Salcedo Rivera also have close bests in 5x5 and Megaminx. Salcedo Rivera has the 5x5 edge, 1:08.59 to 1:08.82. Álvarez Ludeña leads Megaminx, 49.24 to 49.91.
Griesser Leads Kentucky’s Title Race
Luke Griesser is the clear 3x3 favorite at Kentucky Championship, October 31-November 1 in Highland Heights. His 5.32 leads the overall field and the state-title race.
Among registered Kentucky residents, Miles Lentz follows at 7.08, then Justin Xu at 7.68. Only Kentucky residents can win state titles.
Griesser leads the home field in six events. Indiana’s Lucy Grace Bryson could give him a close overall 5x5 race: her 51.23 best trails his 51.09 by just 0.14. She also tops the overall 6x6, 7x7 and Megaminx fields.
Geng Leads Ningbo
Xuanyi Geng heads to Ningbo Open on Saturday with a 3.67 best average. His challengers include Yi Shen at 4.24, Zhaokun Li at 4.34 and Bofan Zhang at 4.38.
Yize Dong, whose best is 4.07, is entered here and in Zhongshan on the same day. His plans are unconfirmed.
Beyond 3x3, Zhen Chen leads one-handed at 6.99. Lingkun Jiang tops Pyraminx at 1.14.
Blindfolded and a Close 5x5 Race in Zhongshan
Yunzhi Lian brings a 4.27 best to Saturday’s Zhongshan City Open. Only Dong is seeded ahead of her, though Dong’s plans remain unclear.
Yifan Wang leads 3BLD with a 12.71 single, ahead of Kaijun Lin at 16.09.
In 5x5, just 0.26 seconds separates Zhiyuan Ma and Zijian Cai, at 43.73 and 43.99. Cai also leads 4x4 at 22.42.
Geng, Dong and Lian Entered in Jiangmen
Sunday’s Jiangmen Open could bring Geng, Dong and Lian together. Their best 3x3 averages are 3.67, 4.07 and 4.27.
The 2x2 field is close, too. Yuqian Lu leads at 1.48, followed by Ma at 1.54 and Jiekai Li at 1.56. Cai tops one-handed and Megaminx, while Jiang leads Pyraminx.
Namibia’s WCA Debut
Namibia Nationals takes place Wednesday, November 4, in Windhoek. It will be the country’s first WCA competition.
All 24 Namibian entrants are newcomers, so there are no official bests to compare for the national titles. Three places in the 3x3 final are reserved for Namibian competitors.
Sweden’s Daniel Wallin leads all five events, including 3x3 at 6.63. Visitors can compete for overall places, but national titles and local prizes go to Namibian competitors.