The Times - Cryptic - This puzzle, used in the Preliminary A round of the 2012 Times National Crossword Championship, was solved correctly within the time limit by 65% of the competitors. - October 24, 2012

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Clues Answers
"Darling", "ducks" — words exchanged by lovers SWEETNOTHINGS
"Distinguished artists" is a term translated here MAESTRI
A sport ultimately setting very bad example APOLOGY
Being away, holding cash — it's characteristic of the continent ABSTINENCE
Boast by legal group that can exert powerful leverage CROWBAR
Box without great strength, as opposed to pro full of skill CARTON
Christian, for one, not caught in second robbery MONOTHEIST
Consultant whose cases were recorded by medical assistant HOLMES
Crazy and miserable situation in which few words are expressed NUTSHELL
Deduce it's a no-win situation DRAW
Drinker left in embrace of one giving gratuitous advice? TIPPLER
Equipment kept in toolbox, first of all KIT
European funny about refusal to be frugal ECONOMICAL
Fraud created by head of school with academic stream SCAM
Halt source of whisky on base STANDSTILL
Clues Answers
Learning one's function in group, after switching sides LORE
Like incorrect shop signs, perhaps, I stood changing APOSTROPHISED
Like women acting as gold-diggers, mostly in charge FEMININE
Mass is reflected on in religious establishment MISSION
Pilot coming out of marina, at sea AIRMAN
Reckless game bird CHICKEN
Saw what something obvious doesn't need SAYING
Sign agreement with smart guy, turning over some pottery CELADON
Source of music and wine, entertaining at home CLARINET
Student group interrupting worship set in public domain DECLASSIFY
Travel guide article penned by one of our representatives MAP
Trendy point of view, for example INSTANCE
Violently shattering, put back in order STRAIGHTEN
Watch excerpt from film on it, originally MONITOR
Your fault — ignoring the odds, it's said ORAL