I don't know how I did it, but I think it would be worth trying to get this glitch again in a Speedrun and it could end up saving 10 to 20 seconds. If anyone has suggestions on how to get this glitch, it could crack the current world record!!
I took the footage for the game and cut out both meanwhile segments. I found our that the time gained is approximately 22 seconds!! This means that if anyone is able to successfully replicate this while speedrunning, sub 8:30 is possible even with terrible RNG!!
I've Cracked it wide open... You will have to leave the game run on the title screen for about 6 hours, but sub 8:30 has been broken... I can't upload the footage I currently have since the screen capture software messed up and there is flashing images. I'll try again tomorrow since I don't have a full 6 hours to wait today, and the mine cart section was flubbed with bad RNG, but I finally hit it!!
Should meanwhile skip be allowed if we don't know how to replicate it or it takes 6 hours to be consistent? I just got it while doing runs without knowing it even existed. I have no idea what happened. I definitely didn't wait on the title screen for 6 hours, though.
If the glitch takes waiting on the title screen for 6 hours, this doesn't seem like a glitch that we should allow in the speed run. Getting your hardware or software in a particular state prior to starting or seeding the RNG isn't something that should be allowed in any speedrun without it being part of the rules and this easily is in that category.
The any% category is now divided into glitchless and cutscene skip subcategories.
Having a record of the fastest possible way to complete the game is important, but it's not fair to have a random glitch or 6-hour setup compete against people's hard work to optimize the consistent, glitchless route.