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Sport News 24/7Winter Olympics 2010 Guide: Curling
Curling 
/ Editor / 08 February 2010 / 1 Comments
Curling represents one of Team GB's best gold medal chances
It make look bizarre but curling is 500 years old and, what's more, Great Britain may be the most likely challengers to the hosts' supermacy.
"No-one has won more golds in curling than Great Britain."
What is it?
Now then. Yours truly was given this gig to bring a little levity to the Winter Olympics. Jab a literal finger in to the ribs of sport you might say. That makes curling, with this crouching, sliding scrutiny and frantic sweeping, a complete open goal. Ever one to buck the trend, let's do this straight. I am not one to mock the afflicted.
Each game has 10 'ends' where two teams of four slide down eight stones. Scoring is like bowls-cum-archery with the aim to end up with as many stones as possible in the points areas. The thrower's team-mates help control the speed and direction of their colleague's stone by frantically sweeping it down the ice. The team with the most points wins.
History
Sliding stones on frozen lakes has been going on for centuries. It is said to be more than 500 years old with the earliest recorded games taking place in at Paisley Abbey in 1541. The British had that famous gold in the women's event of 2002 at Salt Lake City. Rhona Martin is perhaps the most unlikely icon British sport has ever seen. We also won the first ever men's event in 1924.
Who to watch
You can't really look past Canada for the gold. Kevin Martin led his side to victory in Torino and this time they are at home. Maybe the closest competition will come from Great Britain. Once again, the Ladies event would seem to be between holders Sweden and Switzerland.
Fact!
No-one has won more golds in curling than Great Britain. Let me repeat that. No-one has won more golds in curling than Great Britain. Nope, I don't quite believe it either.
Best Bet
Sod it. Let's get carried away. Who knows, maybe David Murdoch's British team can sneak a gold. They are the current world champions after all.
Canuck | 10 February 2010
Err...Kevin Martin was not in Torino. Brad Gushue was. And about GB winning the most curling medals? Hmmm...not sure about that either...may have to check that back again.