Pace hot between Malew & Santon in 2008

Having the electronic timing for the past two years will allow me to draw out loads of stats from the split times. It appears that despite the rain, the pace was much hotter in the southern sections. Here are the top 10 times:

David Griffiths 00:35:35 2008
Sean Hands 00:36:57 2008
Jock Waddington 00:37:15 2008
Michael George 00:38:01 2008
Mark Hempsall 00:38:20 2008
Michael George 00:38:39 2007
Sean Hands 00:39:16 2007
Robbie Callister 00:39:19 2007
Maurice Bellando 00:39:23 2008
Ray Pitts 00:40:06 2007

Three possible suggestions:

1. The first few stages were slower so this was catching up.
2. There was a tailwind.
3. They were drawn along by the hare (David Griffiths who retired at Rushen).

Other suggestions, serious or otherwise, welcome.