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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
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 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.
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