REGISTRATION DEADLINE BY 1ST OCTOBER, 2024 8PM GMT+8.
Overview: This competition is a 24-team seeded knockout tournament in which each team competes in a head-to-head relay format. Teams consist of 3 members from the same country/region, and the objective is to achieve the fastest total team solve time. Each team member must solve a 3x3 Rubik's Cube one after the other, with the total time of all 3 solves determining the winner of each match. Standard World Cube Association (WCA) rules and penalties apply throughout the event.
Important Notes:
- Only teams from Asian countries/regions are eligible to participate.
- Teams must consist of members who share the same nationality based on their WCA profile.
- This is an unofficial, experimental event, designed to test a new competition format.
- Teamwork, coordination, and efficient solving will be key to success.
- The event is intended to be fun and engaging for competitors and spectators alike, while still maintaining the integrity of competitive solving.
Competition Format:
1. Tournament Structure:
- The tournament consists of 24 teams arranged in a knockout format based on seeding.
- Each match is an elimination round, with the winning team advancing and the losing team eliminated.
- Teams compete head-to-head until a champion is crowned.
2. Team Composition:
- Each team consists of 3 competitors from the same country/region (only from Asian countries), based on their nationality as determined by their WCA profile.
- Example: Team Malaysia must have 3 members who are Malaysian nationals.
- Each country/region may send a maximum of 2 teams. Priority will be given to Team 1 from each country/region, with Team 2 filling the remaining spots once all Team 1 registrations are accepted.
3. Selection Criteria:
- Team selection and seeding are based on the official WCA 3x3x3 personal record averages of the team members. This ensures that the best-performing teams are given priority.
- Among the 24 teams, the 8 teams with the fastest overall times will automatically advance to the second round.
- The remaining 16 teams will face off in head-to-head matches, and the winning teams will be drawn to determine their opponents in the second round
4. Equipment:
- Each match will use 3 timers (one for each competitor) and 3 identical 3x3 cubes provided by the competition organizers.
- Teams are not allowed to use their own cubes during the event.
Relay Process and Timing:
1. Inspection Time:
- Teams are given 12 seconds of shared inspection time. All 3 team members must use the same inspection period to examine their cubes.
- Each team member must place their cube on the mat and have both hands on their timer before the solve begins.
2. Solve Process:- The first team member begins their solve when the timer starts after the inspection time.
- Once the first team member completes their solve, they stop their timer. The second team member may then immediately start their timer and begin solving.
- This process repeats for the third team member.
- Each competitor must wait until the previous team member finishes their solve before starting their own.
- Note: The second and third team members must keep both hands on their timers while waiting for their turn to solve.
3. Team Strategy:- Team members must communicate and time their transitions efficiently to minimize any delay between solves.
- Each solve is crucial, as the total time of all 3 solves determines the outcome of the match.
Winning Criteria:
1. Total Time:- The total team solve time is the sum of the times for all 3 members.
- The team with the lowest total time is declared the winner of the match.
2. Tie-Breaker:
- In the event of a tie (i.e., both teams have identical total times), the team with the fastest individual solve will be declared the winner.
Penalties and WCA Regulations:
1. Penalties:- Standard WCA penalties apply for any violations, including:
- Misalignment (e.g., if the cube is not fully solved): A +2-second penalty.
- Timer errors or improper starts: Appropriate penalties as per WCA guidelines.
2. Disqualification:- Any violation of competition rules or failure to adhere to timing procedures may result in disqualification of a team.
3. Judges’ Decisions:- The event is unofficial and experimental, meaning some rules may differ from standard WCA competitions.
- The decisions of the judges are final and cannot be contested.
Additional Rules:
1. Conduct During Solves:- When one team member is solving, the other two must remain with both hands on their timers, ready for their turn.
- No physical assistance or interference is allowed between team members during their solves.
2. Match Environment:- Each match will take place on a designated competition table with all necessary equipment in place.
- Spectators may be present, but teams must focus on their performance and adhere to all instructions from event officials.
