There’s no editorial here, and definitely no intent to suggest there is such a thing as an optimal set of values, but this might still be of interest to set some context for comparison purposes. The times refer to puzzles offered in the most popular (i.e. expert/experienced) track from DASH 5 onwards.
Edition | Par time | Fast* time | Usual* time | Teams | Structure |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 5:00 | 1:51 | 4:32 | 173 | 8+M |
3 | 6:00 | 2:57 | 6:42 | 298 | 8+M |
4 | 6:00 | 1:53 | 4:48 | 300 | 8+M |
5 | 4:30 | 2:14 | 5:32 | 295+N | IB+7+M |
6 | 5:50 | 2:33 | 5:10 | 307+N | IB+8+M |
7 | 5:45 | 3:38 | 6:55 | 333+N | IB+8+M |
8 | 6:40 | 2:33 | 4:35 | 363+N | IB+7+M |
* median, top-11 |
* median, middle-8/9 |
N = normal track | M = metapuzzle, IB = icebreaker |
Data remains available for DASH 2, DASH 3, DASH 4, DASH 5, DASH 6, DASH 7 and ((edited:)) DASH 8. Note that the usual time was calculated from the median time quoted for either the middle-scoring 8 or 9 teams, depending on whether the overall number of teams was even or odd, and may not represent every puzzle being solved without a hint or even every puzzle being solved at all. The times quoted do not include the par or solving times for the unscored co-operative icebreaker puzzle from DASH 5 onwards.
Isn’t “Median top 11” just “6th place time”?
In theory, not necessarily! In some years, not every team in the top 11 scored bonus points on every puzzle, so the points score does not have to be the exact inverse of the sum of solving times (or even the sum of the solving-times-rounded-down-to-the-nearest-minute). In practice, though: near enough.