Rubik's World Championship 2005

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Rubik's World
Championship 2005
Location: Lake Buena Vista, USA
Date(s): 2005 November 5–6
Preceded by: WC2003
Succeeded by: WC2007

World Rubik's Games Championship 2005 (usually called World Championship 2005, abbreviated to WC2005) was a speedcubing World Championship held at the Disney Pop Century Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA, on November 5–6, 2005. It was the first World Championship after the creation of the WCA. It was organized by the WC2005 Organization Team, headed by Ron van Bruchem, Tyson Mao, and Gilles Roux.

This competition also took the place of US Nationals 2005 due to it being located within the US.

Competition

The tournament took place at Disney's Pop Century Resort - a hotel which had first opened in December 2003. The resort is divided into five different sections based on decades.[1] The championship took place in the 1980s section where there were giant Rubik's Cubes on display as well as other 80s pop icons such as Pac Man. In total 149 competitors took part representing 16 countries, although 104 competitors were from the USA. Qualifying rounds kicked off on Saturday, and concluded with the fastest players advancing to the finals on Sunday.[2] The 3x3x3 final was the last event and was scheduled for 3.45 pm on Sunday with awards handed out at 4.20 pm. The winner of the 3x3x3 speedsolve won $5000 with winners of most other events winning $500 to $1000. However the winners of Megaminx, Clock, Square 1, and Magic events only won trophies. An After Party was scheduled for the evening at "The French Island - Epcot".[3]

Winners

Jean Pons won the 3×3 final with an average time of 15.10s. Edouard Chambon was second and Shotaro Makisumi was third.

There were 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 Blindfolded events but neither of the competitors (Dror Vomberg only in the 4x4x4; Stefan Pochmann and Dror Vomberg in the 5x5x5) achieved a successful solve.

Two other events took place which are no longer recognised as official by the WCA:[4]

  • 3x3x3 Cube Speed Blindfolded: Geir Ugelstad memorized for 3 hours and then solved a Rubik's Cube in a "world record" of 31.36 seconds.
  • Rubik's Magic One-handed: Bob Burton defeated two other contestants (Jonathan Mun & Stefan Pochmann) to solve a Magic one-handed in a "world record" of 3.89 seconds.

World Records Set

  • 4x4 single of 54.13 by Yuki Hayashi (First Round)
  • 4x4 average of 1:01.21 by Yuki Hayashi (Final)
  • 3x3 Blindfolded single of 1:46.47 by Leyan Lo (Final)
  • 3x3 With Feet single of 1:54.97 by Oliver Wolff (Final)
  • Megaminx single of 1:41.82 by Stefan Pochmann (First Round)
  • Rubik's Clock single of 8.39 by Stefan Pochmann (First Round)
  • Rubik's Magic single of 1.14 by Quinn Lewis (First Round)
  • Rubik's Magic average of 1.46 by Alexander Ooms (Final)
  • Master Magic single of 2.79 by Stefan Pochmann (Final)

Rubik's Brand controversy

There was some controversy because Seven Towns (owners of the Rubik's Brand) were not only sponsoring the event, but were also organizers, allowing them to ban non-Rubik-brand cubes. The main rival to Rubik's in 2005 was Eastsheen, manufacturer of 2x2, 4x4, and 5x5 cubes. Eastsheen's 2x2 cube, in particular, was seen as superior to Rubik's Pocket Cube. Seven Towns stated that "we don't think we should support companies like East Sheen who trade off our efforts."[5] The WCA meekly agreed to their demands.Tyson MaoRon van Bruchem

Trivia

  • To the amusement of many cubers, a large sign spelling out "POP", indicating the name of the venue, adorned one of the buildings at the resort.

Media and Reports

External Links