Overview
- Dutch debutant Jurjen van der Velde arrived on stage with bug spray, got some in his eyes, and still had to swat a wasp during a 3-1 loss to Danny Noppert.
- Fresh sightings continued this week, including Teemu Harju flicking one away at the oche, Martin Lukeman appearing to react to a sting, and interruptions during Nick Kenny vs Justin Hood and Chris Dobey vs Zong Xiaochen.
- Earlier in the tournament, Nitin Kumar’s dart struck a wasp mid-flight and Ted Evetts flicked one off his collar, while Luke Littler and others had interviews and play disturbed.
- The PDC attributes the issue to nature and the venue’s parkland setting, while UCL’s Prof Seirian Sumner says the insects are likely queen wasps roused from hibernation by warmth and light.
- The phenomenon has become a cultural talking point and even a betting market, with title sponsor Paddy Power offering novelty odds on future wasp cameos and incidents.