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Curling’s origin dates back to the 16th century in Scotland, where the game was
played on frozen lochs and ponds.
Scottish immigrants brought the game with them to North America,
where it quickly spread across the northern United
States and Canada.
The modern game evolved during
the 20th century, aided in large part by the move indoors and the use of
refrigerated ice. Curling became a full medal Olympic sport in 1998. Today
over a million curlers are on the ice during the season (November-March) in
Canada and the United States, and as far away as Australia and Japan.
The Racine Curling Club
was formally organized on March 2, 1954, with Judge J. Allen Simpson as
president. There were 28 charter members. Outdoor ice was used at places
like Horlick Field, Root River, Hatter’s Sand Pit, and Armstrong Park.
Snow, sun, sand, cold winds and heaves and cracks in the ice made it a game
for only the most dedicated. The Grand Opening of the indoor Racine Curling
Club was held on February 26, 1966 with Scottish Pipers in kilts leading
the way. The Racine Curling Club today provides wintertime activities to
nearly 100 men and women in the Racine Area.
Curling is played on
ice with 42-pound granite stones. The size of the playing surface (a
'sheet') is 138 feet long by approximately 14 feet wide. Target areas, known
as 'houses', are located at each end of the sheet, thereby allowing play in
both directions.
The Team usually
consists of 4 players, called the 'Lead', the 'Second', the 'Third' (or
Vice-Skip), and the 'Skip'. The Skip is the captain and chief strategist
for the team. All four members, beginning with the Lead and ending with the
Skip, deliver two stones each 'end' (similar to an inning). In doubles curling, there are two players
per team who deliver a total of five stones per team.
In the game
of curling, each player delivers his/her stones each end, alternating with
their counterpart on the opposing team. After all stones are thrown, the
team with stones closest to the center of the house scores points for that
end. The number of stones closer to the center of the house (circle) than
the nearest stone of the opposing team determines the point total. A game
normally consists of 8 ends, which takes approximately two hours to
complete (1 ˝ hours for doubles).
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