curling

Curling is a winter team sport played on a sheet of ice. Two teams, each with four players—lead, second, third, and skip—take turns sliding stones toward a target called the house. The aim is to score points by getting stones closer to the center than the opponent’s stones.

Stones, weighing about 19.6 kilograms (44 pounds), are made of granite and slide along a pebbled ice surface. Players use brooms or brushes to sweep the ice in front of a moving stone, which increases its distance and reduces its curl.

An end ends when all stones have been delivered. Each team delivers eight stones per end (two stones per player). After all stones are in place, the team with the closest stone to the button scores one point for each of its stones closer than the opponent’s closest.

Strategy and techniques include draws, takes, and guards. Sweeping alters the stone’s speed and curl, while the skip directs strategy and shot selection.

Curling is governed internationally by the World Curling Federation. It became an Olympic sport in 1998, and major competitions include the World Championships, continental championships, and national championships. The sport emphasizes precision, teamwork, and tactical decision making.