Curling is a winter sport that is popular in both North America and Europe. Since 1998, this unique sport has been the official sport of the Winter Olympics. However, very few people know about curling in the rest of the world. Having said that though, you are bound to get hooked as you learn more about it.

The objective of curling is to guide a rounded stone (which is about 42 pounds) into--or close to--a target area over a sheet of ice. It involves two teams of four players competing against each other in an attempt to slide heavy, polished granite stones into the target area or the house.

Each team has eight stones that they have to slide as close to the target as possible. Once both teams are done sliding all eight of their stones, it marks an end. A game has either eight or ten ends and whichever team scores more points after the stipulated number of ends wins the contest.

The game begins with a delivery, which is made by one of the players in the team. The other players then use brooms to sweep the stone so that it curves and turns favorably. While this might seem like an easy job, it actually requires a lot of thought, and the act of sweeping is based on several calculations with regards to the trajectory and intended path of the stone.

At no point should a player's broom touch the stone while it's still in play. This is known as burning the stone. Given the high standards of sportsmanship maintained in curling, players usually call their own burning infractions.

While modern-day curling has been embraced as a very cerebral sport, its origins in 16th century Scotland are not so well-structured. There are various theories as to where and how this sport came into being. However, once it was introduced to the United States, it quickly grew into a crowd favorite.

Very soon, there were clubs and organized leagues that brought with them a standardized look and feel to the sport. It was also a part of the 1924 Olympics, where it was merely demonstrated. However, in 1998, the International Olympic Committee decided to award medals to those who won at the event at the 1924 games.

All in all, this game is a very complex, yet engaging one. And should you take to watching or even playing it, you are bound to take a liking to it too!


Here's a look at some curling action:




-Picture courtesy Thinkstock-

30 Second Guide, curling, men's sport, sports for men, ice

Post your comment