The January 13, 2025, episode of Jeopardy! kicked off the Champions Wildcard quarterfinals, delivering an intense and strategic competition between three contestants: Will Yancey, a history lecturer from Banquete, Texas; Jen Feldman, a high school teacher from Brooklyn, New York; and Paul Clauson, a tax analyst from Michigan.
Will Yancey emerged victorious, securing his spot in the semifinals with a win of $13,800. The Final Jeopardy! category was Historic Currency, and the clue asked about the first pound coin minted by Henry VII in 1489: “Henry VII minted the first pound coin in 1489, which was called this, also a term for what Henry was.” Will correctly answered “sovereign,” clinching his victory.
Paul Clauson also answered the Final Jeopardy! clue correctly but finished as the second runner-up, as his total score was not enough to surpass Will’s. Jen Feldman, while unable to solve any Final Jeopardy! clues, remained a strong contender due to her consistent gameplay, keeping her in the race for a wildcard spot.
Throughout the episode, Will demonstrated strategic gameplay, especially in the Double Jeopardy round, where he maintained a commanding lead. The show featured a range of categories such as 2015: 10 Years Ago, Other Uses of Texting Abbreviations, TV This Century, and Latinas, all of which tested the contestants’ knowledge across a variety of topics.
Jeopardy! continues to captivate audiences with its mix of trivia, strategy, and nail-biting moments. Be sure to tune in for the next episodes, as the champions battle their way toward the semifinals!