Curling - An Ice Sport With A Cool Curve

Curling, even though being recognized as an OlympicWhen a player sweeps the ice, they are essentially
medal sport, is still unfamiliar to many. Just what isbrushing it at a rapid pace in order to keep the rock
this sport and how is played? Simply put, curling is amoving. The process of sweeping helps to polish the
sport that is played on ice where players slide graniteice and helps to promote a more distant, straight
rocks down the playing field. As the rocks travel,moving rock.
they have will often curve, or 'curl,' during play. This isCurling is a popular sport that is actively played in
why the sport is known as Curling.over 20 countries, including North America, Asia,
This unique sport first came into existence on theEurope, Australia and New Zealand. A large majority
frozen ponds and lakes of Northern Europe. During aof curling players reside in the United States, Scotland
Curling competition, two teams of four players willand Canada. Mostly played indoors, curling is a popular
slide hefty granite rocks across a 130' x 15' sheet ofsport for fans who prefer to be protected from
ice. The rocks travel down the ice toward themother nature while enjoying a sports event.
center, which is similar to an archery format. TheEven though many are still unfamiliar with curling as a
designated areas are painted just below the surfacesport, it's awareness has increased since the 2002
of the ice at both ends, which allows the rocks to beOlympic games, which were held in Salt Lake City,
played back and forth during a series of competitions.Utah. Cable television covered the events worldwide
Each Curling game will consist of sixteen rocks beingand many sports enthusiasts were drawn to the
thrown and, following the conclusion, a score is tallied.unique aspect of curling. In fact, curling was also a
Each team will score one point for each rock that ispopular sport in the recent 2006 Olympic Winter
determined to be closest to the center. Very similarGames, which were held in Turin, Italy. For more
to the strategy of baseball, only one team can scoreinformation on curling as a sport, player biographies
during any given play. One of the most uniqueand how to get involved, athletes and fans may visit
features of curling is the incorporation of sweeping.usacurling.org.