Curling is a game that is played on ice. As a rule, two teams participate in it. The goal is to knock out the opponent’s stones from the “house” (target), filling it with their own. But not many people know the answer to the question of who invented curling. Let's figure it out, because this sport is becoming increasingly popular in Russia and the CIS countries. And if 15-20 years ago, few people heard about him, now many people watch the competition of teams on television with enthusiasm.
From the history of curling
Five hundred years ago, the Scots loved to drive stones on ice in their free time from military campaigns. In a game such as curling, the history of occurrence is quite simple. In the distant 15th century, a decree was issued in Scotland that prohibited golfing. And all because this sport very often caused controversy and brawls among citizens of the country. By the way, not only golf was subjected to such persecution, but also a number of other games. Curling, however, was not included in this blacklist, which gave an additional impetus to the development of the game. Now everyone knows where they came up with curling.
Note that in those days quite severe morals reigned. The game was uncompromising - they took their lives for cheating. Already in the 16th century, a society of curling players was created in Scotland.
Name history
The person who invented “curling” as a name for the game is still unknown. There are two versions of the occurrence of this word. According to the first, this sport was named after the complex structure of curls that a stone leaves on ice. However, most scientists are inclined to believe that this word comes from the Scottish verb "curr", which means "roar". A similar sound occurs when stones hit each other.
In some regions of Scotland, curling is still sometimes referred to as: "a game of roaring stones." In those days, there was no bet on the skills of players, often everything was decided by the luck that accompanied this or that team. It was an amateur sport that absolutely everyone was involved in. Now you have an idea of who invented curling, how the name of this sport came about.
About the history of the game
The second country in which curling was popularized was Holland. Despite this, a single set of rules and standards for the game was developed by the British. As early as 1738, the first club was opened. And already in 1775, the British began to make inventory of Welsh stone, attaching metal handles to it. As for the single standard of stones, it appeared in 1838. This is the story of curling.
Then it was popularized in other countries of the world. Some British and Scots moved to search for a better life in faraway Canada. Now in this country, more than a million people are engaged in curling. There are even special television channels that broadcast exclusively matches for this sport. However, not only in Canada, people appreciated this game. In many European countries, the curling became popularized back in the 19th century. There are currently 46 player federations in the world. Actually, when a detailed answer to the question of who invented curling is received, it is worth understanding the intricacies of the game.
rules
In fact, curling does not need so much equipment. More specifically, you will need 2 teams of four people, sixteen stones, brushes made of synthetic material or pork bristles, which are commonly called brooms. Special shoes with Teflon-coated soles are also needed. The game can last eight or ten periods, which are called the end. Players take turns launching stones. Each team seeks to hit the target ("house"). In this case, it is necessary to remove the stones of rivals from it. Both teams consist of four people. Each of them performs a specific function.
Role of players
Skip is the most important person in the team. The game as a whole depends on his actions. He is considered the brain of his group, its tactics and strategy all rolled into one. He must be in the "house" and lead the actions of the whole team. Skip indicates where it is best to place the stone. The goal of the game is to drive as many of your stones into the “house" as possible, removing the opponent's stones from there.
All other team members are called swippers. For the curling game itself, these people are simply necessary. They take turns launching two shells at a target, while free swippers rub ice, trying to place stones in the "house" as accurately and correctly as possible. A relevant question is why rub an already slippery surface. In fact, it is not so slippery. On it before the game, special drops are applied (using a watering can). Players brush them off, changing the speed of the stone, as well as its trajectory. The winner is the team that scores the most points in 10 endovs. In case of equality in the account, an extra-end is appointed, which identifies the winner.
Is it interesting to play curling?
Many people think that curling is uninteresting, that it is a passive game that does not require any physical effort. This is actually not the case. Sometimes teams spend on the site for 4-5 hours. At the same time, each member of the group non-stop rubs ice, screams, points to something. It takes tremendous effort. Players of professional teams claim that they in no way want to humiliate an opponent. Their main goal is victory. There is one more gentlemanly rule in curling. The winning team treats the losers with a drink after each specific game. Although at the Olympic Games and other serious competitions this rule is more likely an exception, since alcohol is contraindicated in sportsmen during competitions.
About curling in Russia
So, curling became more and more popular every year in different countries of the world. Many professionals travel the world and share their experience with other players. In 1991, the International Curling Federation was renamed the World Curling Federation. This happened on the eve of making curling on the list of Olympic disciplines.
In Russia, the first curling players appeared a long time ago. It happened at the end of the 19th century. At that time, this sport was exclusively fond of foreigners, of whom there were many in our country, but during the Soviet Union, the game never gained popularity in Russia. In our country, the Curling Federation was established only in 1991, while the first demonstrations in this sport were held at the Olympic Games in 1924. And only in 2006 it was customary to consider the demonstration performances of Russian players as an official event.
Russian Curling Team
The Russian curling team, the photo of which you see above, demonstrates our beautiful ladies who have managed to achieve great success in such a short history of the game in Russia. Our girls have repeatedly become winners of European and world championships. They managed to win bronze medals at the World Championships in Canada, which took place in 2013. Also, the Russian team has repeatedly become the winner of the continental championship. And this is worth a lot, because in Europe there are a huge number of really cool teams. At the Universiades, our girls also regularly go up not the podium.
The history of curling in Russia, of course, is not long, but on the other hand it is marked by several bright victories and performances. In recent years, men began to regularly participate in world and continental championships. Representatives of the stronger sex have no bright victories, but we can hope that everything is still ahead.