Curling has Nothing to do With Hair!
Unlike a lot of southerners, I have actually known what curling is for years. My grandmother (a northerner in New York!) competed in a local club called the “Westchester Wicks.” I still have a couple of her curling pins in my jewelry box, and whenever I wear them I’m asked what the little brooms mean.
Curling is an old game, originating sometime in the 16th century. There is some debate as to whether it began in Scotland, the Netherlands, or Belgium, but the earliest record is a Scottish match from around 1540. Basically, two teams play on a 145 to 150 ft long area of ice. One teammate slides, or “delivers” a 42lb stone toward a 12 ft diameter round target, called a “house.” The object is to get as close to the center, or “button,” as possible. Two team members armed with brooms sweep in front of the stone to momentarily melt the ice, reducing friction, and to clear any debris that might impede the stone. Careful sweeping can speed up or slow down the stone as needed, and keep it going in a straight line.
Each match consists of ten “ends” during which each team member delivers two stones, alternating between teams. The team with the most points at the conclusion of the ten ends, wins. Interestingly, it is perfectly acceptable to concede your match before the final end. If the team leader, known as the “skip” decides they are just too far behind to catch up, they’ll graciously call it quits.
The US is not a favorite to win gold in this year’s Olympics, but you should check out this sport anyway. It’s more than just shuffleboard on ice; it’s an age-old game of strategy and precision that just might capture your interest.
