Ron Clarke takes $18,200 in rare Jeopardy! tiebreaker

A resident of the Mat-Su Valley hamlet of Chickaloon added a new title to his list of roles on Oct. 13. Ron Clarke, 70, won the game show Jeopardy! by defeating a three-game winning streak holder in a rare tiebreaker. Clarke collected $18,200 for his victory.

Clarke is known locally as a wildlife biologist, commercial fisherman, public radio DJ, and former gubernatorial aide. He watched the broadcast on tape delay at the Sutton public library in mid-October. A dozen supporters joined him for the viewing party, eating popcorn while he beat Greg Monson. Librarian Juli Busby watched the finale and said, "I love how that ended. That was really fun."

Clarke's path to the show began in 1989. He applied during the tenure of host Alex Trebek by finding clues in the Anchorage Daily News. He cut out the clues, wrote down his answers, and mailed them to the producers. Clarke made it to auditions through that process but did not make the show. He tried again more recently using a 21st-century method. He submitted an online application and took a 50-question test. Producers called him about 10 days later with an invitation.

The Oct. 13 episode featured a tight race between Clarke and Monson. Heading into the final round, Monson held $18,200. Clarke had $9,100, exactly half of the leading total. Monson could have risked nothing to ensure a tie or bet more to attempt a win. He chose to risk nothing. The final category was 1980s Music. Clarke risked his entire $9,100. The clue referenced a 1985 single where a sign told artists to check their egos at the door before recording. Both Clarke and Monson answered correctly: "What is 'We Are the World'?"

The identical answers created a tiebreaker, the seventh of its kind under host Ken Jennings. The tiebreaker question asked for the name of George W. Bush's national security adviser. Clarke answered Condoleezza Rice. Monson did not provide the correct answer. Clarke became the new champion.

Clarke wore a silver pin of Binky, the Alaska Zoo polar bear, on his suit jacket. Binky attacked an Australian tourist in 1994. Clarke described the pin as a silent shout-out to long-time Alaskans. He met Jennings, who holds the record for 74 consecutive wins, at the studio. Jennings autographed books for Clarke, who later donated them to the Sutton public library for a fundraising auction.

Clarke's reign lasted one more episode. He faced challengers Kim Kalnocki and Wesley Yiin. He trailed both by more than $10,000 before the final round. Clarke wagered zero, hoping his opponents would make errors. The final clue asked for a structure that had a replica built for a 1912 exhibition in Earl's Court. The correct answer was the Globe Theatre. Kalnocki answered correctly. Yiin guessed Big Ben. Clarke answered, "What is 'my hovercraft is full of eels'?"

The answer referenced a 1970 Monty Python sketch. Jennings recognized the reference and laughed. Clarke said he chose the answer to have fun. Kalnocki took the win, dethroning Clarke. Clarke left the show with the $18,200 from his first victory.

Clarke grew up watching Jeopardy! in the 1960s with host Art Fleming. His knowledge base comes from varied experiences, including working as a morning DJ and attending a Grateful Dead show in 1980. He said knowing different subjects helps on the show. He described the program as a positive environment for logic and science.

Clarke returned to his life in Chickaloon after the show. He continues to visit the Sutton public library. The $18,200 from his Oct. 13 win stands as the prize for his tiebreaker victory.