Gavin Fuller
The youngest ever Mastermind champion. 2 x 15-to-1 winner.
GAME 5
David Stainer
4 x Countdown wins. 15-to-1 and University Challenge finalist.
41
0.41.350.00.00
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Just click the stars (******) to reveal the answer to the questions
R01 - General Knowledge
A light sprinkling of passes opens the first round. No hesitation with these boys. No trawling of skull soup for deeply submerged answers. Can't reply instantly? Don't bother.
In humans what is the common name for the uppermost vertebra? *****
Which novel was inspired by the story of marooned sailor Alexander Selkirk? ****** *****
David inches a few seconds in front, but by the 26 second mark, they're neck and neck. At 3 seconds they're still neck and neck.
How many so-called Sisters make up the star cluster of the Pleiades? ******
Which 19th Century mail service used relays of horsemen between St Joseph and Sacramento? **** *******
David is milliseconds late with his correct answer to his final questions: 'In the metric system which prefix indicates one thousand-millionth?' Nano. Gavin just scrapes the win with a tighter than tight 3.56 on the counter. He gets 7 out of 12 right. David 6/11. Close, but no cigar.
R02 - Numbers
Jeez. Gavin is sharp. David holds his own but no sooner has he squeezed a sum out of his brain then Gavin smashes it back.
What is 4% of 800? **
What is the Fahrenheit equivalent of 65 degrees Centigrade? * ********* *
What is seven tenths of 80? **
Crazy. David gets into his stride and starts to push ahead. Meanwhile, Gavin gets snagged on a loosing roll. A few toughies unsettle him:
What is 30% of 480? ***
Multiply the only even prime number by the number of 'geese a-laying' in the Christmas song? **
In the end, Gavin clinches it with just 10 seconds left.
R03 - Contemporary Knowledge
Well it all goes pear-shaped for David. Round three is always risky. David falls into a loosing trough which chips huge chunks off his time. Mind you, with some of these muthas, it's not hard to see why:
In 2003, which TV chef was awarded an OBE for his services to Cornish tourism? **** *******
In which year did the Nobel Peace Prize celebrate its centennial? ****
Which author of 'A Spanish Lover' is noted for her 'Aga sagas'? ***** *****
By the end Gavin allows himself a smile, walking away with a substantial 36.58 seconds. David knows he's got a serious fight on his hands.
R04 - Words & Letters
Quite a turn-around. Gavin, not renown for his word skills, is on the back foot immediately while David radiates confidence and carves his way through anagrams and meshes.
Which church building is hidden in this phrase? OH BASIL I CAN'T FIND MANUEL? ******
Which word completes the first and begins the second in this puzzle: OIL___DID? ****
In the Greek alphabet which letter comes 2 before tau? ***
But David squanders his lead with a few missing opportunities. Gavin claws it back and manages to melt David's advantage. David triumphs but with only a 11.85 advantage. Not what he wanted.
R05 - Combination Round
Gavin opens with 1.16.60 on his clock, David with 41.85. That's a 35 second advantage, a long time in the compressed universe of Grand Slam. It's tense from the off. David makes a valiant attempt to pare down Gavin's advantage, but gives up towards the end as he realises it's out of his reach.
Some question highlights. See if you can get them:
The magpie and jackdaw are members of which family of birds? ****
Which 'R' is the study of noses? *******
What name is given to a triangle in which all sides and angles are different? *******
Gavin wins. A great contest. David is magnanimous in defeat. Gavin relieved it's all over. Well, until the quarters…
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