Speed Puzzling at Australia's National Competition 2023

Kia ora from New Zealand! I'm Donnalouise - a puzzled puzzler puzzling puzzles who competed in Australia's National Competition put on by ‪@AustralianJigsawPuzzle‬. I had the most amazing trip and time puzzling with everyone. I met so many lovely new puzzle friends as well. Enjoy this video recap of the competition and if you are an Australian resident and love jigsaw puzzles, consider becoming a member of the Australian Jigsaw Puzzle Association (AJPA). Enjoy!!!
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[@M_SC]

Your enthusiasm is so cute

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you so much!

[@christinelacey7577]

It was so lovely to meet you at the competition and congratulations on your excellent times! It was such a fun event - next time I'm going to volunteer rather than just watching!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

It was so nice meeting you as well. My hubby volunteered and really enjoyed it. I’m sure they would love for you to help out. 💜🧩

[@KlingonPrincess]

Puzzle people are the nicest sort 😊 Thank you for sharing your experience, it was a delight. 🌻🍄

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I agree - puzzle people rock! So pleased you enjoyed! I had so much fun!

[@meryljackson5824]

Great video DonnaLouise! I can’t believe you did the Disney puzzle by placing. I really struggled with that puzzle. We loved meeting you at the Nationals. It was exciting to see our picture with you in the video.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you for chatting with me and taking a photo - it was lovely meeting you as well. I just couldn't see any other way to do this puzzle - it was so helpful that I knew the characters from each movie and quickly memorised where they went on the image. How did you approach it? Would you try doing it again differently? Next time I do it, I'm going to try to sort the characters into piles first and then assemble to see if that would be faster.

[@meryljackson5824]

I would approach it differently next time. I didn’t finish in the 3 hours which is a first for a 500 piece Ravensburger for me. I sorted into edges, gold barriers, dalmations and Winnie the Pooh. The edges wasn’t a good idea. I did the dalmations and Winnie the Pooh okay but didn’t see the other characters easily as I am not a major Disney fan. I didn’t think I’d do it again but now am thinking I would to see if I can improve. I’ll let you know how I go when I do it again.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

@@meryljackson5824 Knowing the characters was a super big advantage! I looked at a piece and was like The Jungle Book, Dumbo, etc... And then quickly figured out where it went on the image. I think I might try it again tonight... If you do, let me know how you go but don't pressure yourself to do it if you don't enjoy it. I honestly never thought they would give us a licensed image on a puzzle for a speed competition. I was wrong!

[@paulahayes8638]

Congratulations Donna-Louise! You did so well. Thanks for stopping and having a chat with me (not that you had much of a choice as I backed you into a corner 😂). It was great meeting you. Love your videos - your technique seems totally crazy to me but you also did the puzzle well over an hour faster than me so maybe I need to work on my own technique ha ha! 😊

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

It was great meeting you too! And I didn’t feel backed into a corner 🤣 I just can’t imagine doing such a busy puzzle in any other way. I might try to speed run it again but sorting out all the characters into their sections. I wonder if that would be faster. 💜🧩

[@paulahayes8638]

@@fortheloveofpuzzles I’m definitely going to speed run this again too - I tried doing the gold circles and the edges first up which slowed me down heaps. Definitely going to focus on the little scenes next time! Glad you didn’t feel cornered 😬

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

@@paulahayes8638 I heard from others who tried do focus on the gold circles and border, and they really slowed them down as well. The characters are the way to go.

[@bonniewalker5225]

Congratulations. You did so well. I enjoyed seeing you do the pick and place system again. I did get the dream library done using this system and really liked it. I'll do it again.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I'm so glad that you did the Dream Library this way and liked it. This Disney puzzle was perfect for this technique! Once I knew were all the characters were on the puzzle, I felt like I was flying through it. Hardest part was the border.

[@unclvinny]

Your enthusiasm and energy is splendid! I’m glad you had such a great time. 😃😃😃

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you!!!

[@lavernehodge3320]

Congratulations! You should be very proud, your times were fantastic. Such a great competition with such busy puzzles. Looking forward to the Battle of the KZbin Puzzlers.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I can't wait for the battle - a few surprises which I hope everyone will enjoy.

[@theaudiobookaficionado]

Wow that Disney puzzle definitely looks like the hardest one to me 😵😵😵

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

It's so interesting how we all find different puzzle images easier/harder. I love a buy image and knowing the characters really helped. But for others, I'm sure they found this to be quite tricky. It was so much fun though!

[@50sRockChick]

Loved this. What lovely jigsaws. That alphabet pairs one looks fun. Well done on your results. They were really good. 🎉

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I really enjoyed Typefaces - it was a fun challenge. I can't wait to redo it with Alison.

[@rossiej100]

Very good results!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you! I was very pleased

[@puzzlinghappiness]

Well done Donnalouise, congratulations!! 🙂❤️ It was lovely to hear about the Australian competition. ❤️

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you so much Vesna! i had so much fun. Will you be going back to Worlds next year? Hope if you do, we can actually get time to chat and that you don't get sick.

[@puzzlinghappiness]

@@fortheloveofpuzzles Yes I'll come to the Worlds also next year, I have already booked the flights for me and Jan! 😁❤️ See you! ❤️

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

@@puzzlinghappiness Great! Let's make sure we get photos all together this time!

[@IzebellePuzzleDiaries]

Looks like everyone had a fun time! Congrats, you did great.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you! I had so much fun 💜🧩

[@dominiquebilodeau2225]

Félicitations! Belle performance 🎉🎉🎉

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Merci!!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I had so much fun at this competition! Loved puzzling in pairs and teams. Do you think I get finish Disney Family in under 1 hour??

[@zofiabochenska1240]

The faces puzzle looks like so much fun! Congrats on your results :)

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you!!

[@berglindheiarsdottir2773]

Oh my, I thrifted the Disney puzzle a few months back! Didn't ever expect to see it come up

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Great thrift store find! This 500 piece is from 2010!

[@berglindheiarsdottir2773]

@@fortheloveofpuzzles so is mine!

[@LJG7654]

Congrtulations! Looks like you did great and had a fun time. :) That Disney puzzle would be my favorite too. I'm pretty sure I have a very similar one from Ravensburger, but in 1000 pieces. I'm a big Disney fan, so I've done quite a few Disney puzzles and they are always my favorites to do.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I actually think that the Disney one is now more readily available in 1,000 pieces. I was so pleased to get this puzzle - knowing the characters really helped.

[@Laura.jigsaw_journey]

Fantastic video. So happy you literally blew out of the water the Disney puzzle with your great time😊, Congratulations!!! I noticed you did not wear headphones this time. Did no having music helped you more with the speed? What are your thoughts about this? It was really nice to see the pictures. Thanks for getting this video together❤️🧩😊

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I honestly think not wearing headphones helped this time. I did that on purpose. I think hearing my music - although helps to clam me down at first - then puts me in too much of a calm state. I need to hear the noise and things going around me to keep up my momentum. I don't plan on wearing headphones in any future competition to see how I do.

[@Book-Thief]

It's good to finally get a better look at what was going on, since it was really hard to tell from just watching the livestreams. I did hear during the livestream something about NZ getting a puzzle association in the near future, so I'll be looking forward to that. Your timelapse for the individual puzzle is the perfect example of your "build as I sort" method. And yes, I think you'll be able to get the Disney puzzle in under an hour, possibly even just on your next try

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I am also excited for the NZJPA to get up and running. I think they are hoping for early 2024. I loved that Disney puzzle so much - it was the perfect puzzle for me and for "build as I sort".

[@Kanguruo]

I loved the Disney puzzle. I nevertheless started with a quick sort, edges, 101 dalmatians, but then I left the pieces in the box and picked those with characters I recognise. Definitely a good puzzle for pick and place. There was no need to spread out the pieces on the table. And meeting you in person was so nice!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I agree, I'm glad I left the pieces in the box. I know not many people do that but I like having the pieces contained. It was also great finally meeting you in person.

[@puzzlingread]

You did great in all three categories! Congratulations! Can't wait for BOTYP 😊

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you so much!! Revealing the first details for #BOTYP III on Dec 1st!!!

[@veronikaf.2323]

Congratulations Donnalouise! I am so proud of you Your results are amazing! We will need a celebrating puzzle piece emoji I think that you will beat the one hour time for the Disney puzzle for your next build. Will you try different building methods?

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you!! We do need a celebrating puzzle piece emoji - I'll try to come up with something. I don't know if I should fully sort by characters. I guess I could give a try and see how I do. Maybe it would be faster...??

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

[@veronikaf.2323]

Yeeey @@fortheloveofpuzzles

[@Puzzles_and_Parks_with_Kyla]

What a great trip and event! Ravensburger Typeface was the very first speed puzzle competition I ever participated in...well over 2 hours for me to complete. It's for sure a challenging image, you did amazing for under 60 minutes!! Your Team was amazing! 21 minutes is so good! It's great to hear that you felt more relaxed with this competition too, it must have felt so much better. Great video!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Typefaces feels like a coloured pencil drawing to me - quite tricky indeed but fun. So pleased you enjoyed the video - I had so much fun at the competition! 💜🧩

[@eglev]

It sounds like you did very well in the competition, huge congratulations!! In terms what puzzles are used, I think it's fair to assume that individual country/region competitions might have different settings/standards for which puzzles to use (i.e. either old/licensed etc.). I think they will probably have more limited options from the sponsorship aspect than the World's would, that also might be a big factor. But I am indeed surprised they reused something already used in the World's, that was definitely a shocker. I guess for the next other competition it might be worth contacting the organisers and see if they can share/publish some relevant limitations like that?

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I should have mentioned that in my video - depending on where in the world the competition is being held, the limitation as to what puzzles they can get also factors in. But like you, I didn't expect My Loyal Friends to be used - but is was a welcomed surprised for me! My next in-person competition is at the NZ Masters Games and I know that they had puzzles specifically made for it so nothing that I can really prepare all that much.

[@booklover6963]

Thanks for the video. I thought the coverage from the competition wasn't very good. I expected cameras on the floor like at world's so it just a view of people at the tables. Glad you did so well.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

They don't have the means to have a livestream like at worlds - people or money-wise. They also had internet issues but tried their best. I think those that watched live really enjoyed the chatting aspect. But the more people that sign up to the association and want to volunteer at events means that they can do better next year. It was a great competition though - being there in person was so much fun!

[@Puzzlesarelife19]

Hi! I have loved doing jigsaws all my life and I can't believe I have never heard of speed puzzling!! 😮 I am so intrigued and would love to know how to get started working towards going to competitions! Do they have comps in NZ?

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Speed puzzling is becoming more and more popular! And plenty of people give it a go for fun even if their times are not competitive - like me, I just try to do better than my last time, like a little competition with myself. Here in NZ we currently only have one small competition a year. Next one will be Feb 2024 and I will do a full video on it. They have an individual and team round but no pairs. To get started, I'd say use a 500 piece Ravensburger puzzle and just time yourself - competitions for individuals run for at least 90 minutes up to 3 hours. Watch KZbin videos about competitions and see how you go. I have plenty of videos for you to watch in my Speed Puzzling playlist. Enjoy!

[@7d3c0]

Oh I have the Disney puzzle and I love it! We often have it assembled in the living room and my 3 and 5 years old daughters keep askong me to remove this or that princess and they try to put them back alone 🥰 Fun fact: I tried the bulid as I sort method with this puzzle a few months ago, and I finished it with my then-best time: 2 hours and 17 minutes 😅 so you really did well, congratulations!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

That's a great way of keeping your daughters interested in puzzles. Depending on the image, I swear that the build-as-you-sort / pick-and-place works so well - especially for a busy image.

[@puzzlepiece9509]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Australia. 👍 Wow, getting Sarah Schuler on your team was fantastic. 🤩 Your video gave a good look at what happened and how everything went. I watched one of the Australian National Competition videos and it was awful. ☹Everything was jerky in a sort of stop/go way. The interview they did with Sarah Schuler was just as bad. Don't know what went wrong there. I had done the Typefaces puzzle myself back in August and enjoyed it. 😄 Look forward to your next video.

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Sarah was amazing to puzzle with! Unfortunately they had issues with the internet connection for the livestream. They did their best and don't have the number of people or financial means to do a livestream with cameras on the floor like at Worlds. I think they people that watched live really enjoyed it for the chat though. Jubie and I were also interviewed - those separate videos should come out soon as well. I think they will be using a still photo for my interview as the video was choppy but the sound was perfect. I can't wait to redo Typefaces with Alison.

[@veronicak2759]

I think you did just amazing and you should be very proud! Speed puzzling is something i don't think I could ever do, been puzzling since I was a kid and its always been so leisurely, but I am fascinated. I thought the Disney puzzle looked very difficult. I've just gotten back into doing puzzles after many years because of Karen Puzzles videos and did the 500 piece The Dog Walker, which ate my lunch, and then the 1000 piece Dean MacAdams Alice in Wonderland/Everyone's Mad or whatever its called and that one ate my lunch too, and now I'm doing the 1000 piece Pixar Moments one with Toy Story, Bug's Life, Incredibles, etc, and THAT ONE is eating my lunch as well. Love it!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I love those Dean MacAdam's puzzles!! I think you and I have very similar styles of the types of puzzles we enjoy doing.

[@artokilponen6989]

I never before even thought to use a raven as an ingredient for a burger, but seems like that's how they do things in Germany. I had exactly same thoughts with your sister about the individual puzzle building. I would have done those mistakes for sure. Great results, congratulations :)

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

You so silly as always! hehehehe

[@francescathomas3502]

Third Place Winner - Rhys is a Welsh name for Guys and it is pronounced REECE - FYI. But 50 minutes is pretty good. You finished under the first hour so you are certainly not slow!!

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

I was 50 minutes for pairs was amazing! It was the trickiest puzzle at the competition for me. I can't wait to redo it with Alison now that I've done it once already. She hasn't though so it'll be interesting to see how we get on with it together.

[@inzibleth]

Your technique with Disney puzzle looks amazing! Unbelievable :D Congratulations :) Ps. Can you tell me what's the puzzle on the far left of video frame? Looks like white board with colorful puzzle pieces. What is the name of them? :)

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

Thank you! I think you are seeing the Ravensburger 1000 piece Anniversary Puzzle. It’s a special edition puzzle that was not released for sale. Janette, Vicky and I each got gifted a copy by Alfonso while in Spain. We plan on doing something special with in together in the lead up to Worlds next year. 💜🧩

[@inzibleth]

​@@fortheloveofpuzzles thank you for reply :) I can't wait then, this puzzle looks very interesting :)

[@LMaloey]

Such a fun competition, loved to see all the people smiling. And you did awesome!! I think I remember you said the Labrador was a tricky puzzle, so now you say it easy for sure has something to do about this being a third, and with such amazing teammates. Letting you off the hook for the fur an all. The Disney, oh I love that one, seems so fun to do. I believe you can do the Disney under an hour, it's all about moving those fingers faster. Is Piece per minute (pcs/min) the correct speed terminology ? 5 more tries, max 🦸

[@fortheloveofpuzzles]

For me I really found that Labrador puzzle tricky - the frames and the fur for some reason just did me in. It would be interesting to eventually redo to see if my overall time has improved. Wendy, Alison and I just did it only the three of us and we got 27:02!! That would have placed us 8th! I think we are all getting faster. I have heard people refer to piece/min - I'm usually so slow to start and then it picks up pace.