4.15 PR Clock Average in AusNats finals

3.83, (5.70), 4.35, (3.50), 4.27
The average is by no means good for me, I’ll get that out of the way. I went safe on the turning for a couple of solves and multiple minor mistakes were made in pretty much all of them.
Negative thoughts aside, this is probably the greatest I’ve felt about an average since my Worlds R1 win almost a year ago. Going into this round, I convinced myself that it would be my first time heading into a nats final without being an overwhelming ‘favourite’ to win, however the cheers I heard from the audience when my name was being announced were the loudest, despite my self-perceived fall since the start of the year and inability to adapt well to the changing landscape of clock in recent times.
Given my notorious track record of major finals performances and all my previous rounds this year feeling like complete flops, a PR in a nats finals is big, no matter how ugly the solves may be. In the moment it felt like I handled myself really well in a situation where I otherwise would’ve completely screwed up like i have always done. When I finished, it was evident that I thought I surely podiumed at the very least, but I was surprised to discover that an essentially unprecedented situation meant that I would not podium with a 4.15 average, missing out on a WR podium; something definitely not on my bingo card. Being the holder of the fastest ever clock average to no make a podium is a stat hilariously on brand for me, and when I discovered I didn’t make it, it barely affected how I felt about the final and what it represented to myself.
Of course happy to get my first 7-simul PR after way too long as well, but sub 4 is still very very overdue 😬
To put it all shortly, this round has lifted a huge weight from my shoulders, and represents more than I could’ve hoped for from a nats finals average that didn’t make podium or improved my pr by a huge amount. It feels like a mental barrier has truly disappeared this time around.
This feels miles more beatable than 4.21 was, and I know I’ll do it soon. Until then, see you at NAC and Euros!!
Huge congrats to @Senor27 for another OcR, @bluishcubes64 for a clean OcR2 average and @KidDoesCubing for clutching up the WR podium for the team :)
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[@treepoder]

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can
M is for my mum makes me mash my mini M&Ms on a Monday morning oooooo aaaaaaaaaa
nice pr

[@WangYiheng347]

Just read the description, honestly really happy that you overcame your mental barrier even a little bit since everyone knows it's been weighing on you. You looked pretty damn upset after kensington clock final so I'm happy that the next time I saw you, you managed to finally pull through and finish off in good spirits

[@DRclocker]

So happy for you Zayd!! Btw this is 3.57 nr avg holder

[@Shoppingtroli]

Incredibly well deserved, the king is back

[@harryforbes2492]

Lovely pr, can’t wait to see what comes next!

[@shab680]

my goat, great things ahead for sure

[@cryptidconnor]

Huge congrats on finally beating pr man 🎉🎉🎉. Can't wait for sub 4 average and sub 3 single lmao

[@thehastycuber]

CONGRATS ZAYD!!!!! As a clock solver, this just gave me so much motivation to grind again. I’ve been so low on motivation lately and to see you finally pull through regardless of whether you feel it’s great or not is such a special feeling ❤️ See you at NAC.

[@williamherring]

Progress 💪

[@sl7175]

So proud Zayd!! Awesome to see you've been able to show what you can do!

[@davidepstein7397]

Yes zayd!!!

[@TGSpeedcubing]

Watching this round live was awesome! Great job Zayd!

[@roman.rudakov]

Congrats on finally breaking through the championship final mental barrier, hope to see more PR improvements soon

[@scottrastyles2592]

Good job mate
First time watching this, remember how far you went bud, this looks quite special

[@CubeATime-AKAEddieArtze]

Bro beat my year wr for best result not providing podium 😭 congrats!

[@KaiusYoung]

LFG can’t wait to meet you at nac!

[@BlueJacketCubes]

@@KaiusYoung so hyped

[@cfoples]

frick yes

[@abhijeetghodgaonkar]

Nicr yo

[@lachie0704]

he still relevant 🔥🫶💙🫡

[@BlueJacketCubes]

@@lachie0704 lachlan stephens this was cold

[@davidepstein7397]

lachlan stephens this was cold

[@treepoder]

lachlan stephens this was cold

[@thehastycuber]

This was so fucking cold it burns