Welcome to the first post of our Winter Olympics Theme Week, where we’re spotlighting the sports that make the Games so fascinating. We’re kicking things off with a fan favorite that’s often misunderstood—but endlessly strategic: curling.
At first glance, curling looks simple. Players slide smooth stones across a sheet of ice toward a circular target made up of four concentric rings, known as the house. Look closer, and you’ll see a sport that blends precision, teamwork, and strategy in a way few others can.
How Curling Works
Curling is related to lawn bowling and shuffleboard, but it has its own unique rhythm. Two teams of four players take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones—often called rocks—down the ice. Each team has eight stones total, with every player delivering two per end. An end is completed once all stones from both teams have been thrown.
Scoring is all about placement. At the conclusion of each end, points are awarded to the team with stones resting closest to the center of the house, known as the button. Only one team can score per end, and precision is everything.
The Art of the Curl
What makes curling so captivating is how much control players have over each stone. As a player releases the rock, they apply a gentle rotation that creates the stone’s signature curved path—called the curl.
Then come the sweepers. Using brooms or brushes, they sweep the ice in front of the moving stone to reduce friction. Sweeping can help the stone travel farther and straighter, or subtly adjust its final position. The constant communication between thrower and sweepers is where teamwork truly shines.
A Sport Steeped in History
Curling originated in Scotland, with evidence of the game dating back as far as 1511. Early matches were played on frozen ponds and lochs using primitive stones gathered from local regions like Stirling and Perth.
Today’s stones are far more refined. Each one measures about 36 inches in circumference, stands 4.5 inches tall, and weighs between 38 and 44 pounds, depending on competition level. Remarkably, nearly all curling stones are made from granite sourced from just two places in the world: Ailsa Craig in Scotland and the Trefor Granite Quarry in Wales.
“The Roaring Game”
Curling’s nickname, “The Roaring Game,” comes from the low rumble a stone makes as it glides across the pebbled ice. Add in the frantic sound of brooms sweeping and melting the ice to guide the stone, and you can see how the name stuck.
It’s also often called “Chess on Ice,” a nod to the patience and strategy required to outthink your opponent. Every shot sets up the next, and one miscalculation can change the entire end.
The Spirit of Curling
More than many team sports, curling places a premium on sportsmanship. Known as the Spirit of Curling, this unwritten code encourages players to compliment opponents on good shots, strong sweeping, or impressive form.
Just as important are the things you don’t do: cheering an opponent’s mistake or overly celebrating your own success is frowned upon. Victories are acknowledged modestly—with a nod, a fist bump, or a thumbs-up. Traditionally, winning teams even buy the losing team a round of drinks after the match, especially at higher levels of competition.
Curling on the Olympic Stage
Curling found its strongest foothold in Canada, thanks to Scottish emigrants. The Royal Montreal Curling Club, founded in 1807, is the oldest active sports club in North America. The first U.S. curling club followed in 1830.
The sport has been an official Winter Olympic medal event since 1998, and Canada has dominated ever since, earning 12 medals, including six golds. The United States has claimed two Olympic medals so far—a men’s bronze in 2006 and a historic gold in 2014.
And the story continues. Tomorrow, it’s gold-medal time again, as the U.S. mixed doubles team faces Sweden in the Gold Medal Game.
Stay tuned as Winter Olympics Theme Week continues—we’ve only just begun sliding into the action. 🥌❄️