Curling

Photo Credit: Yahoo

I am not talking vector calculus here, where the curl is a vector operator. I am not also talking about curling hair or curling iron. The guy in this picture is an excellent example to vouch for me.

Curling is a sports event in the Winter Olympics. I did not know this until this morning when I was watching the 2010 Winter Olympics now being held in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

It is a team sport. Two teams compete against each other. Each team has four players. Each player slides heavy polished granite stones down the ice. There is a circle marked at the far end called the house.

The purpose for each team is to slide 16 stones. Whichever team’s stones are closer to the center of the house is the winner. When the stones are sliding in the ice, there are 2 players broom or brushes the ice to direct the movement of these stones.

This has some similarities to lawn bowling or shuffleboard. The commentator was telling that this game was invented in Scotland. It became an official sport in the Winter Olympic games since 1998. Canada won the Gold in the 2006 Olympics.

My impression of this sport? It was as thrilling and exciting as watching grass grow or watching paint dry.

I think Figure Skating and Slalom are very exciting and interesting to watch in Winter Olympics. What do you think? Please don't say the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony. They are always very exciting and interesting to watch in any Olympics.