This competition is participating in the official WCA Newcomer Month 2024. The registration process will reserve 25 out of 75 spots (33.3%) for new competitors. New competitors are considered to have no WCA ID or a WCA ID with 2024. Returning competitors are considered to have a WCA ID that is from 2023 or earlier. All competitors must still follow all registration requirements for their registration to be considered complete.

Registrations will be accepted based on the following:

• 25 out of 75 spots are reserved for new competitors.
• Initially, 50 out of 75 spots are available for returning competitors on a first come, first serve basis.
• If greater than 25 new competitors register before 50 spots are filled by returning competitors, any additional new competitors will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis alongside returning competitors.
• If the spots reserved for new competitors are not filled by new competitors before registration closes two weeks prior to the competition, remaining spots, up to the competitor limit, will be accepted from registered returning competitors.

Registration Process

Before You Register

All prospective registrants need a WCA account. New competitors can create their own WCA account by clicking here and entering the required information.

How to Register Online

Prospective competitors register by:
1. Signing into their WCA account;
2. Clicking "Register" on the left side of this webpage, selecting the events they would like to compete in, and submitting their registration;
3. Paying the registration fee of $25.00. (The registration fee is the same regardless of how many events are selected.) Your registration is not complete until you have paid the registration fee.

The competitor limit for this competition is 75. The list of approved competitors can be found by clicking "Competitors" on the left side of this webpage. If there are already 75 competitors on that list, it means the competition is full, and any future registrants will be placed on the waitlist.

Competitors MUST register and pay online in order to compete. No at-the-door registrations or payments will be accepted.

Any requested changes to registration before 11:59 PM EDT on Saturday March 16, 2024 will be honored. Your registration is not complete until your name shows up on the list.

How to Pay for Registration Online

Payment is processed through Stripe. Click on the "Register" tab on the left side of the webpage to register and pay all in one place! You can start the payment process by clicking "Pay your fees with card."

Refunds

Approved competitors who cancel their registration before 11:59 PM EDT on Saturday March 16, 2024 are eligible for a refund for half (50%) of their registration cost. After this date, no refund requests will be honored. Attempting to file a chargeback for the registration fee will lead to being blacklisted from future WCA events.

Waitlist Information

We will be keeping a waitlist for this competition. To secure a place on the waitlist once 75 competitors have paid, simply pay the registration fee. If a competitor emails us to drop out before 11:59 PM EDT onSaturday March 16, 2024, you will be notified if you are the next competitor on the waitlist. After that deadline, all remaining competitors on the waitlist will be emailed letting them know they did not get off the waitlist and will be fully refunded.

ALL COMPETITORS MUST READ THIS TAB BEFORE REGISTERING

For First-Time Competitors

All newcomers must be familiar with the WCA Regulations before competing. This video gives a basic overview of the rules.

In addition, please read this document before coming to the competition.

For All Competitors

When you arrive, you will receive a card with personalized information detailing your events and what group you will be competing in for each event. In addition, you will also have judging/scrambling assignments on your card. Every competitor is expected to help out during the event(s) they are registered for. The card will look like the following:

If you do not arrive to help during your scheduled event, and there are not enough staff members, we reserve the right to disqualify you from competing.

For those of you new to cubing, WELCOME!

We wanted to let you know this event is perfectly fine for cubers of any age and experience. We just ask you know a couple things before coming to compete...

First, please be familiar with the WCA Regulations, found here:
https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/regulations/

Of course, those regulations contain a lot of legalese, so we have a video made specifically for new cubers, just to show them the basics of competing. This video will explain most of what any cuber competing for the first time will need to know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPL3eV-A0ww&t=2s

If you have any questions after this video, we will be having a new competitor tutorial, Saturday morning of the competition. That would be the perfect time to ask those questions and clear up any confusion.

If you are stoked to compete and ready to sign up, head over to the registration tab, click register, and fill out the information it asks for. This will help you get set up the WCA's system and one step closer to your first official solve!

Q&A:

Q: Do I use my own cube to compete?

A: YES! You are responsible for your own hardware in order to compete.

Q: What is the normal age of competitors at these events?

A: All ages are welcome, but in general competitors are between 10 and 20 years old. Don't let this stop you though, everyone can and should cube!

Q: What is the competition like?

A; Competitions are a bunch of tables where nerds like us get to sit and discuss our favorite thing, Cubes! Of course in addition there is competing, which will occupy one side of the competition hall, where you will see lots of timers flickering with contestants new personal bests, and possibly a vendor, where you can purchase all you cubing related needs. Most competitions have a break for lunch, and the competing is split up into heats, as to better organize who competes when. (Check the Groups tab and listen at the competition for more info on this.)

Q: How do I find results?

A: All results are posted on the WCA page a couple of days after the competition finishes. However, for the day of competing, go to Cubecomps.com to find information about current events. This is also where you will find information about 2nd and 3rd rounds of events.

Q: Why am I not on the registration list yet?

A: Make sure you pay you entrance fee in order to be automatically placed on the registered list, which will also guarantee you a spot in the competition. If payment may be any issue, or you are not sure if you can attend, use the contact button to talk to us, and see if we can work out another payment strategy, or have you pay on arrival at the compeition. No matter what you situation may be however, please register online. It is much easier for us to have you register now and pay later, then to have to input information at another time.

Q: Are there age divisions?

A: Nope! All cometitors compete in the same group.

Q: Can I have fun at this event?

A: HECK YES! Cubing is amazing, and we sincerely hope you enjoy the competition!

New Yok currently has no Covid-19 restrictions in place. However we do ask the following of all competitors and guests:

1 - Please respect others desire to socially distance.
2 - Wear a mask if you feel safer doing so.
3 - Please bring only 1 guest maximum. If you are 18 or older we encourage you to come alone if possible.

NOTE: If you have been accepted to the competition and signed up more than 1 guest --- be forewarned that only 1 guest will be allowed inside the competition venue. We must enforce this to ensure we do not exceed the venue's capacity - which could result in the competition being cancelled and everyone asked to leave the building. The venue is very strict in enforcing capacity limits! If this policy results in you not wanting to participate please inform the Organizer ASAP and we will remove you from the competition, refund your entry fee, and move the next person on the waiting list into the competition.

Custom printed 3x3x3 Cubes with the event logo printed on the white face to all individual event winners.

Certficiates to all event podium (top 3) winners.

There are a few places within walking distance of the venue:

Alaturco Gyro
Pizza Works
Augie's Italian Restaurant
Nani's Indian Kitchen
Legend's Sushi
JJ's Snack Bar
New China
Taqueria Guadalajara
Subway
Dunkin Donuts
McDonald's

Parking

There is ample parking at the Ballston Spa Elks Club. Do not park in Members Only or Handicapped spots.

Driving

The Ballston Spa Elks Club is located approximately 7 miles southwest of downtown Saratoga Springs NY and 31 miles north of Albany NY.

Enter 10 Hamilton St, Ballston Spa, NY into your GPS.

Public Transportation

Unfortunately there is no public transportation direct to the Ballston Spa Elks Club.

Air Travel

The Albany International Airport is a 40 minute drive to/from the Ballston Spa Elks Club.

Hotels

There are dozens of hotels in all price ranges in the greater Saratoga Springs area to choose from.

https://www.competitiongroups.com/competitions/SaratogaSpringsNewcomers2024

In addition to the standard WCA awards, we will be giving certificates to the following:

Top Rookie in the 3x3x3 - first time competitor
Top Senior 40+ in the 3x3x3
Youngest Competitor in any event
Oldest Competitor in any event

Note that to be eligible to win the Senior, Youngest, or Oldest Awards you or your legal parent or guardian must sign the Empire State Cubing Age Based Awards Waiver at the checkin desk when you arrive at the competition.

In addition all First Time Competitors will receive a Participation Certificate.

The competition is closed. If you were on the wait list you have been issued a full refund.

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