An official WCA-sanctioned speedcubing competition, the event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6, at Kaikorai Valley College gymnasium. Registrations close on Monday.
Among the speedcubing fans preparing to take part in the event is Dunedin teenager Isaac Latta (14), who can solve a Rubik’s-style cube in about 12 seconds.
‘‘There are people who are much faster than me, but I keep working on it,’’ he said.
It all started with the gift of a cube for Christmas two-anda-half years ago, and Isaac has been tackling an everincreasing selection of cubes, pyramids and puzzles of different shapes ever since.
High speed cube-solving is a matter of committing the algorithms of solves to memory and lots of practise, until muscle memory takes over.
‘‘I like the fact that every solve is different,’’ Isaac said.
Isaac holds down a parttime job to enable him to buy new cubes and puzzles and also to help cover the cost of travelling to events.
Speedcubing is a popular sport in New Zealand and across the globe, with thousands taking part in regular competitions, including the world championships held in Melbourne in July.
The Otago October competition is open to all competitors regardless of experience and skill, but some time limits will be in place to keep the event on schedule.
