Speed Puzzling

[crystalcazzie]

Four weeks ago I had no idea the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships even existed.  Three weeks ago I watched most of the 2024 rounds live and thought it looked like great fun.  Two weeks ago I was in town and saw a couple of puzzles that I recognised as being from last year's competition.  And ever since then I've become ever so slightly addicted to Speed Puzzling!  

Normally I do jigsaws to relax while watching something on TV, so this was quite a departure for me!  But I loved it.  And I don't think I did too badly.  And I've booked a ticket to the UK Puzzle Championship in April and am hoping to go to Spain for Worlds next year too.  I know I have no chance of winning, but if I can get through the first round I'll be happy!  

My Puzzles So Far:

Postcard From New York City — 1:13:01

Untitled

Not too shabby for a first attempt!  I would have just missed out on qualifying with this time if I'd been in the actual contest, but not by a huge amount.

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The Archaeologist's Desk — 1:14:52

I thought this one would be a lot harder than New York Postcard, so I was surprised at how close my times were.  It was really enjoyable too.  And I would have qualified with this time in the actual contest, so I was very happy about that!

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World Travel Pinboard — 1:11:47

One of the new puzzles from this year's competition.  I can't directly compare my time cos it was a Pairs puzzle in the actual contest, but I think I did pretty well.

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Bavarian Romance — 1:09:50

When I went on the Ravensburger website only two of the exclusive puzzles were still available, the previous one and this one.  I was happy cos this was my favourite of the whole contest.  Once again it was a Pairs puzzle so I can't compare, but I'm pleased with it. 

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Circle of Colours - Astrology — 1:41:57

This one wasn't used in the competition but they did have Circle of Colours puzzles last year so I thought it would be good to try one.  It was a lot harder than I expected and the first time I didn't complete the puzzle within the hour and a half time limit so that was a bit disappointing.  

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Circle of Colours - Animals — 1:07:51

To try and boost my spirits I went for this one which I've done before (so far all the other puzzles have been my first attempts).  I think that definitely helped and I managed to bring my time down quite significantly!

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Student Days — 1:33:29

Another puzzle that I've done before.  This was used in a Pairs round last year so once again I can't directly compare.  I also went over the hour and a half mark again, but I would like to point out that 24 of the pairs in the contest didn't complete it in time either and considering there's two of them and one of me I think that's a pretty good showing!

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Circle of Colour -Pizza — 2:13:34

This puzzle nearly broke me.  I knew it would be difficult and I would go over the time but it was so much harder than I expected.  I was also lulled into a false sense of security by completing the centre up to the yellow area pretty quickly before running into the brick wall that was the green ring.  That part took so long!  

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Cute Dogs in the Garden — 1:15:45

Pretty decent time here.  Once again within the hour and a half and I enjoyed the fur a lot more than I thought I would!

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Evening in Pisa — 1:17:39

Another puzzle from last year's competition.  A bit trickier than I initially expected, but I'm once again pleased to report that my time would have qualified me for the next round had I been there.  

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Balloon Party — 2:08:01

This is a picture instead of the puzzle because I stupidly forgot to take a photo when I completed it!  I think I was just overwhelmed by the relief that I'd actually got it done.  I deliberately chose a puzzle that I thought would be hard cos it's important to practice difficult images and this certainly lived up to that!

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Doughnut Disturb — 1:04:43

I wanted to give myself a confidence boost after the previous puzzle, so I went for this one which I've done before and I thought would be quite easy to put together with all the different sections.  It's my best time so far but I still haven't managed to crack the hour mark, which is my goal at the moment.