What’s the secret to eating Nettles safely ?

[Squink]

This BBC article Nettle chomping champ keeps crown claims:

There is said to be a secret method of eating the leaves which prevents competitors sustaining injury.

The utility of beer in washing the leaves down is freely acknowledged.
Does anyone know what the secret is ?

[Reeder]

Simon Lambert, nettle-eating champion<<
?If you fold them up, they don?t sting, but I did on couple of occasions get a couple of nasty stings, so my mouth is a bit tender.?

http://www.iskratv.co.uk/sns1/clips/cfA/ukh001_006.html