Question 77
Nine competitors take part in a points race on the track. At each intermediate finish line, 9 points are assigned to the first, 8 to the second, 7 to the third and so on until 1 point is assigned to the last. Before the last sprint (in which the score awarded is worth double) the ranking sees Abdujaparov in command with 2 points ahead of Boardman and 9 over Cipollini. The other competitors have a gap in points that no longer allows them to win the race.
How many possible different placings of the three runners in the last sprint allow Cipollini to win the race?
How many possible different placings of the three runners in the last sprint allow Cipollini to win the race?