David Edwards Mastermind Champ Millionaire million-winner
GAME 2
Olav Bjortomt University Challenge and 15-1 Finalist
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0.00.001.47.31
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Just click the stars (******) to reveal the answer to the questions
R01 - General Knowledge
Incredible round. Olav is the first to fumble. 'Which sport is governed by the rules of the Hurlingham Association? Polo'. He should've got that.
It's neck and neck. Voices quiet. Faces impassive.
After a few passes and a top level fluff ('In what month does British summertime begin? ****'), Olav is lagging by 20 seconds and knows it.
But then David slips. In the US, what animal is used as the emblem for the Democratic Party? Elephant, he snatches from the air. Wha-? The answer is of course: ******.
Bang. Bang. Bang. It's quick-fire. But Olav just squeezes ahead with a 3.01 second advantage.
R02 - Numbers
Disastrous start for David. Questionmaster: What's 444 divided by 6? David ums and aahs, struggling to squirt the figure into his awareness. 108 he eventually blurts out. ** is of course the answer. Barely recovered, he's sideswiped by a devilish clock question:
Olav struggles too. Each answers takes an agonising handful of seconds to respond to. But at least he gets them right. David however gets snagged on 12 x 34. He doubles up...um...ah....taking a cataclysmic 18 seconds to respond with the correct answer of ***.
Too late. Olav wins, bagging an impressive 24.48 seconds.
R03 - Contemporary Knowledge
Can David make a comeback? It's certainly looks that way. He starts strong, answer after answer. Olav is practically a bystander. The questions flick between them before this series of clangers fall for David:
Who is the 15th Astronomer Royal? ****** *****
Who moved his art collection to London's County Hall this spring? ******* ******
Who became the first person to walk solo to the geomagnetic North Pole? ****** ******* ******
He recovers impressively, but with Olav over 40 seconds in the lead this round - and perhaps the match - is already decided.
R04 - Words & Letters
It could have happened so differently. David is a cryptic crossword writer, a words and letters leviathan.
It kicks off tight, neither contestant blinking or giving any ground. But tactical error! David forgets to switch or pass when the toughies come flying. He looses ten seconds spelling 'iridescent'!
Meanwhile, the unruffled Olav picks his opponent clean. In Scrabble, how many C tiles are available? *. What letter comes eleven before 2? *.
Oh dear. David loses again. Another 24 seconds for Olav.
R05 - Combination Round
Olav brings an extra 1.34.33 to the final to boost his timer. David brings zero. It's a foregone conclusion. His 30 seconds is no match for Olav's 2:04:33. But he refuses to go down without a fight.
Botticelli's Venus is housed in which Venice art gallery? *******
What is the square root of 576? **
Olav is the winner. Pleased, he sags with relief. The tension has been unbearable. They shake hands. David is noble in defeat. Olav could go all the way.
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