ALL COMPETITORS MUST READ THIS TAB BEFORE REGISTERING.

This competition is an overnight competition and will start on a Friday night

FOR FIRST-TIME COMPETITORS:

There are multiple things a first-timer must know before competing. All newcomers must be familiar with the WCA Regulations before competing. There is a video here for the basic overview of the rules.

In addition, please read this document before coming to the competition to learn about the procedures for judging. Thanks to Olivér Perge and Niki Placskó for providing this detailed judging information document.

ALL COMPETITORS:

With a competition this small, we will be expecting everyone to help out. There will be no assigned judging stations, but we will need to be on time if we want to watch the ball drop at midnight! If there is an open judging station, please take it to help the competition run smoother. Please keep in mind that all competitors, as per Regulation 1e2 must be available to help judge. Otherwise, we reserve the right to disqualify you from competing.

Venue entrance policy:
- Competitors may bring at most one guest. This will be checked at the entrance of the competition.
- All attendees (competitors + guests) must show valid proof of at least one of the following two requirements to be allowed in the venue:
1) They are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To clarify, an individual is only considered fully vaccinated if they have received their second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or their only dose of a single-dose vaccine (J&J) more than two weeks before the competition. Any dose received after Friday, December 17th, 2021 is insufficient for entrance to the competition.
OR
2) They tested negative for COVID-19 within 96 hours (4 days) of the competition. The date when the test is conducted is what matters, not the date when the results are received. Any test conducted earlier than Monday, December 27th is insufficient for entrance to the competition.

Along with a full vaccination or negative test document, a valid ID must be shown and checked at the registration desk on the day of the competition. Any proof sent electronically to the organizers and/or delegates prior to the competition will not be accepted.

Learn more about vaccines at www.vaccines.gov.

If you do not have a negative COVID-19 test or proof of full vaccination on the day of the competition, you can receive rapid covid testing at a site near the venue. We strongly recommend, however, that you get tested in the days before the competition.

Other COVID-19 related rules:
- Masks are mandatory and will be provided for all attendees along with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
- Attendees should maintain a minimum of 3ft from others whenever possible.
- If you have symptoms related to COVID-19 such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc. do not attend this competition.
- If you have had a positive COVID-19 test or prolonged exposure to someone with the virus within 14 days prior to the competition, do not attend.
- Competitors are strongly encouraged to bring their own pen for the duration of the competition.
- The competition may be cancelled if the COVID-19 situation in Illinois and/or the US gets worse.
- Competitors must wipe down their puzzles with a sanitizing wipe before submitting.
- Though there will be stopwatches provided for judges at every solving station, if one is more comfortable using the online tool on cubing.net made by Lucas Garron, that is fine as well. This tool is used as a stopwatch on ones phone via a web browser.
- By registering for this competition, you agree that you understand all the information presented in this tab, will abide by all the COVID-19 restrictions placed on this competition, and acknowledge the risk of contracting COVID-19 or any other disease in attending an event of this scale.

Note: The COVID safety restrictions may change if cases increase or decrease in Illnois and/or the US.

FAQ:
Who can compete?
Everyone is welcome to compete. All you need to do is register for the event.

What if I want to sleep at home instead of participate in the super cool cubing sleepover?
We strongly suggest that you sleep at the venue as New Years is generally one of the worst days for drunk driving. However, we can't prevent you from leaving the competition and going home - we just ask that you remain safe!

Is there a competitor limit?
Yes, it is 50 competitors. You just need to make sure to register before the registration deadline.

Will there be snacks? Drinks?
Yes! We will be providing snacks for all competitors, but you are also welcome to bring your own snacks! There are also some available for purchase at the hotel. If you have any allergies, please let us know before the competition! There will be NO ALCOHOLIC BEVEREGES ALLOWED and please keep in mind Regulation 2k3.

When is breakfast?!
Breakfast opens in the hotel at 6am. You're welcome to pull an all nighter if you want to be the first one at breakfast!

How do I register?
Click on the registration tab on the competition website.

Where can I find my WCA ID?
If you have never competed before, you do not have a WCA ID. You will automatically be assigned one when the results for your first competition are posted. If you have competed before, you can find your WCA ID and profile by searching for yourself on the WCA website.

This is my first competition. What do I need to know?
Make sure the competitor is familiar with the WCA regulations and has watched the CubingUSA Competitor Tutorial.

I can only attend for part of the competition. Can I do my solves early?
Unfortunately, no. In order to keep the competition running smoothly, we have to stay on schedule.

Are competitions organized by age?
No.

When do I need to show up?
Look at the schedule on the competition website. You must be present and ready to compete during all events that you are registered for. The schedule is subject to change. We recommend coming about 15-30 minutes before the start of your first event.

What events will be at this competition?
Look at the events tab on the competiton website.

Can you add more events?
No. We plan our schedule to fit as many events as possible. If you don't see an event listed on the competition website, there's a good chance we'll have it at a future competition.

What are the cutoffs/time limits?
All cutoffs are listed on the schedule. If there isn't one specified, it is the WCA default cutoff (usually 10 minutes).

What do the cutoffs mean?

Why is the time limit for 3x3 10 minutes when the cutoffs for other events are much lower?
We want to encourage new competitors to compete so we try to make sure that everyone can compete in at least 3x3. We do not always have the time to allow everyone to compete in other events because we would like to hold a wider variety of events at our competitions.

Where can I see the results for the competition?
During the competition, live results will be posted on WCA Live. These results are unofficial. A week or so after the competition, official results will be posted on the WCA website.

What's the point of competing if I can't win?
People go to competitions to meet people, make friends, talk about cubing, improve their own official personal best times, and have fun. People of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels attend competitions. Very few people actually go to competitions to win them.

Travel and Venue Information

This competition will take place at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Airport Chicago. Parking for non-guests at the hotel will be $44, and parking for guests will be $34. If you book the room through the room block designated for this competition, parking will be discounted to $20.

Hotels

There will be a room block set up at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Airport Chicago for a nightly rate of $119. Click here for the link.

Air Travel

If you are planning on flying, fly into ORD. There is a shuttle from the airport to the hotel.

Registration Information:

Before You Register

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

How to Register Online

The competitor limit for this competition is 50.
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 cost of $30.00. (The registration cost is the same, regardless of how many events are selected.)
Your registration is not complete until you have paid the registration fee.

PLEASE NOTE: If you paid but don't see your name on the registration list within 48 hours of payment (assuming 50 competitors aren't on the competitor list already), please email the organizers. Organizers still have to manually move competitors to the approved competitor list following payment.

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."

Withdrawing Registration

Registering and paying demonstrates your commitment to attend the competition. However, if you have registered and are no longer able to attend, please contact us via email.

Refunds

If you withdraw your registration before registration closes (Friday, December 17th, 2021, 11:59 PM CST), you are eligible for a refund for 95% of your registration cost. After this date, no refund requests will be honored.

There will be no refunds issued after this date. Attempting to file a chargeback for the registration fee will lead to being blacklisted from future WCA events.

Any requested changes to registration before registration closes will be honored. Your registration is not complete until your name shows up on the list. If you believe you paid and your name isn't showing up, please contact us so that we can assist you.

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

Waitlist Information

We will be keeping a waitlist for this competition. Once the 50th competitor has paid, we will not close registration until Friday, December 24th, 2021, 11:59 PM CST. To secure a place on the waitlist once 50 competitors have paid, simply pay the registration fee. If a competitor emails us to drop out before this time, you will be notified if you are the next competitor on the waitlist.

Once the deadline to request a refund has passed, all remaining competitors on the waitlist will be emailed letting them know they did not get off the waitlist and will be refunded.

Live results will be available on WCA Live.

Face-Turning Octahedron (FTO) and 3x3x3 with Oven Mitts (BRING YOUR OWN) will be held with the help of Extra Events.

Regulations for extra events at the EE website can be found here.

Registration for 3x3 with Oven Mitts and Face Turning Octahedron will be done through the Extra Events website. Use this link to register for FTO and/or 3x3x3 with Oven Mitts.

There is no additional registration cost for competing in FTO and/or 3x3 with Oven Mitts, but you must have an approved registration on the WCA website before registering. Registration for the events will close on December 24, 2021, 5:59 AM UTC.

Additional information for this event:

3x3 with Oven Mitts:
Format: Average of 5
Cutoff: Best of 2 <3:00.00
Time Limit: 5:00.00
Competitor Limit: 16

Face Turning Octahedron:
Format: Average of 5
Cutoff: Best of 2 <3:00.00
Time Limit: 5:00.00
Competitor Limit: 16