Perhaps. I think that there are any number of ways that the duel could go down, and I'm not sure why you are focusing on scenarios in which something would go wrong for the prophecies. Like I said, I think it most likely that Rand will manage to give the first fatal blow. With only one arm, he'll be defenseless against Gawyn's counterstroke (it has nothing to do with back-turning...just swordplay).




As I said in my post, I think it will be a proper duel. It's probably impossible to predict the exact conditions; I don't see why you would expect me to when there are any number of situations in which it would make sense. It may be a simple matter of honor, accepting the challenge to a duel...or it might be something Gawyn pulls out of Andoran law, like Galad did with Whitecloak law.




This is rather obvious. But it doesn't mean that Rand can't hang. He fought five at once with two hands, in Caemlyn.



It indicates that Rand fears he will be killed by his first instinct; he even emphasizes the fact that it's not his primary sword hand. It's a rather odd thought, actually, since most of the situations in which his life will be in danger will not involve swordsmen, much less skilled ones. I see it as foreshadowing of his duel with Gawyn.

Also, later in the book, there is another quote in Min's point of view that indicates he is getting used to the one hand thing:



Just buttons...but Rand is smart enough to be more critical than cocky when it comes to the vulnerability in his sword technique.