Before the start of the Sochi Winter Olympics, the majority did not know not only what the meaning of curling was, but even what kind of sport it was and what it refers to: skiing or ice skating. The Olympics changed the attitude towards this sport, and it gained a lot of fans and admirers. In this article, we will examine the history, rules, and features of “ice bowling,” as curling is also called.
Curling History
According to the official version, curling originated in the 16th century in Scotland. This is confirmed by the findings of archaeologists - the oldest stone for this game, discovered by scientists at the bottom of a dried lake, dates from 1511. From this time, the spread of curling in European countries began. The first documented mention of this game dates back to 1541. At the end of the 18th century, the first curler club was opened.
European immigrants, who went for the conquest of the American continent for various reasons, brought curling to the New World.
In the 19th century, several significant events took place in the history of curling: the official rules of this game were approved, revealing the meaning of curling, and three national varieties were distinguished: Scottish, German and Swiss.
Already in the XX century, curling was recognized as a separate sport, and the first world championship in it was held in 1959.
It is important to emphasize that even today the meaning of the sport “curling” and its rules have remained virtually unchanged.
Olympic Curling History
Curling was introduced into the category of winter
Olympic sports in 1998, but it took about 74 years to complete this. For the first time as a demonstration in the Olympic program, curling was presented at the games in 1924 and 1932. But either the players played casually, or the spectators did not understand the meaning of curling, but over the next 25 years no attempts were made to introduce the game into the Olympic program. The first set of Olympic awards in this sport was played at the Japanese Games in Nagano in 1998.
When did curling appear in Russia?
The first wave of popularity of this game came at the end of the 19th century, when European diplomats created curling clubs in St. Petersburg and Moscow. In the 20s of the last century, the Soviet Union tried to popularize the game, but the Soviet people, busy with solving current problems, did not understand what the meaning of curling was. In addition, at that time granite was a scarce material, and bits made of wood did not contribute to the success and spread of curling in Russia.
In modern Russia, curling is also not very popular. Teams of European and world level can be counted, as they say, "on the fingers." And in total curlers (curling players) in Russia today are no more than four hundred.
Game basics
Today, curling is a sports game in which two teams compete. Each of them is assigned a specific color. Each of them includes 4 people, from among whom the captain is selected, who exercises the leadership of the game and shows the team where to direct the stones.
During the game, teams alternately launch “stones” on ice - special shells made of granite. The task of the players is to hit this target, weighing 20 kg, in a target called the "house". It is located at a distance of 31 meters. If there is a stone of opponents in the “house”, it must be pushed out. While the shell glides, the team members, evaluating the trajectory of its movement, rub ice with special shields, adjusting the range of its launch, speed and trajectory.
In the process of brush friction on ice, a very thin water film forms on its surface. Thanks to it, you can adjust the direction and speed of the stone.
Each of the teams is represented by 8 projectile stones, which should enter the house. If the stones do not “reach” the borders of the house or cross them, then they are eliminated from the game. Thus, curling (the meaning of the game) is pushing rivals ’bats out of the target with their own bat.
Rules of the game
The curling ground is covered with ice and should be 44.5 meters long and 4.32 meters wide. The target, into which the teams must “drive” the stones, is called the house. Its diameter is 3.5 meters. Special stones for curling are made from Scottish granite, mined in Eilis Craig. The weight of each is about 20 kg.
Teams throw stones alternately. The sequence of the first throws is determined by drawing lots at the beginning of the game. Subsequent throws are first performed by the team that won the previous round. Scoring of each team is made after all the stones have been thrown. Only stones located in the house and not knocked out of its borders are counted. The round called the “end” in curling wins, the team whose stone is closest to the “button” - the center of the target.
In order to understand the meaning of curling, you do not need to graduate from university and be a professional athlete, you just need to look at the game and share the enthusiasm of the athletes!