Curling is a team sport, played on ice, where two teams take it in turns to slide stones made of granite towards a target – known as a House. It is an Olympic and Paralympic winter sport with medal disciplines for Women’s, Men’s, Mixed Doubles and mixed Wheelchair teams.
Born in Scotland's dreary winters, the sport of curling dates back to the 16th century. Considered one of the world's oldest team sports, early curlers gathered on frozen loches and ponds to coax 40-plus-pound granite stones across the ice and into a target with the help of what, at least back then, were actual household corn brooms.
The aim of the game is simple: to get as many of your stones closer than your opponents’ to the button – the centre of a target at the other end of the ice, typically 150ft away. In a standard game there are four people on each team who throw – or deliver – two stones each, alternating with the other team. It’s a constant challenge: to get the stone travelling at the right speed on the ice and aimed properly is no mean feat. It’s chess on ice: you’re always thinking two or three moves ahead.
To find out more about curling watch this short video created by World Curling Federation: "A 2 Minute Guide"