Chess on Ice (aka - Curling)

For those who are interested in a thorough description, go here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curling

For those who want the short version, here you go:

Curling is a team sport with similarities to bowls and bocce, played on a rectangular sheet of carefully prepared ice by two teams of four players each. Teams alternate turns at sliding heavy, polished granite stones down the ice towards the target area called the house. Two sweepers with brooms accompany each rock and use timing equipment and their best judgement along with direction from their other teammates to help direct the stones to their resting place. The complex nature of stone placement and shot selection has led some to refer to curling as "chess on ice".

The shot: You place one foot in a rubber foot holder called the "hack". You can see it in the background directly behind me. Then with delicate balance and a bit of a push off, you go gliding down the ice with the stone (approx 40 Lbs) in one hand and the broom in the other. At the very end prior to releasing the stone you give a slight twist of the handle on the stone, twisting left or right depending on which way you want the stone to curl at the end. So, here I am giving it my best shot. Chris is in the background cheering me on (or more likely... probably hoping I don't fall on my rear end).

The sweep:

The sweeping ("Kost" in Norwegian) of the stone is an important aspect of the game and quite frankly the only real exercise you get out of the game. Whether to sweep in front of the stone as it is traveling down the ice is usually a call made by the "Skip" who is standing at the far end when you let go of your stone. Sweeping is usually done to either accelerate the stone or to straighten up its trajectory. This is really an art form and can make the difference between a really good shot vs. a not so hot shot.

Strategy: Here you see the discussion on where to place the next shot. This is where I get really bored. In my opinion, way too much time is spent on this aspect of the game. Just throw the "dang" thing and hope for the best is my philosophy.

Well, there you have the basics of the game. It certainly has been a new and unique experience during our Norwegian adventure, probably a once in a lifetime opportunity to play the game.