Untitled Document

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Before a Curlingmatch there is always a guy running over the ice with a watering can. What does this mean ?

You call this "to pebbel" the ice. The icemaster (thats how you call the "guy") is spraying fine water drops on the ice. In that way the stone curls less and more regular.

If the skip stands in the house and announces a stone, he sometimes streches out his arm to the left or to the right. Whats he want to say ?

He shows the handle. The stone has to look in the direction that the skip shows. For example if the skip announces the left side (left side from the player who stand in the Hack) the stone has to turn from the left to the right.

Why do the players sweep a stone sometimes ?

If a stone is not fast enough to reach his finish you have to sweep it. That produce a very small waterfilm on the ice so the stone can glide with less friction.

Why do the skips scream when the players are sweeping ?

They sput on the team. As louder the skips scream as stronger the others have to sweep.

What does "a stone is curling" mean ?

If a stone is curling that means it is turning a making a curve. As bigger the curve as stronger it curls.

What material are Curlingstones made of ?

A stone is made of granite. Mostly Ailsa Craig Granit.

Which one is the best Curling nation ?

That is doubtless Canada. Admittedly they don't win every important tournament. For example the winners of the first olympic curling tournament 1998 in Nagano were the Swiss. Admittedly the Canadians have won the most world champion titels.

Where can I find more informations about Curling ?

Click on the Links button.

Why is Curling called Curling ?

The name comes from the oldenglish verb "to curr" wich means growl. Sure is that the name does not come from the verb "to curl".

On important tournaments there is always a bagpipeband playing. Where does this custom come from ?

The bagpipers play as reminder for the origin country Scotland.

Where does Curling come from ? Scotland or Canada ?

Curling comes definite from Scotland. But Scottish emigrants maded the sport popular in Canada.

How big is a Curling field ?

I also would like to play curling. Where can I report ?

Look under Links if your national association is listed. There you can get more informations. If your national association is not listed please send me an e-mail: damian@bern.crosswinds.net

When the curlers play the stone they always hold the stone in one hand and a broom in the other. Why ?

They do this because with the broom they can hold the balance better. Mostly you hold the broom the wrong way round by that the resistance is as small as possible.

Why do the players clean the stone before they play it ?

It is possible that there is dirt on the stone. If the stone is dirty on the edge it does everything but not that what the player want it to do.

What happens if two stones are equally far from the dolly ?

Then nobody receives a piont.

What happens if the teams end in a draw (e.g. Team A: 5 /Team B: 5 points) after ten ends ?

Then they play an additional end. If this does not come to a decision another end will be played and so on...