What is the name of the sport played on ice, without skates, using a broom?

This unique winter sport involves two teams of four players sliding heavy, polished granite stones across a sheet of ice toward a target area called the "house." Unlike other ice sports, players do not wear skates, instead opting for special shoes. One shoe has a gripping sole, while the other has a slippery surface that allows the player to slide smoothly when delivering the stone. The object is to get more stones closer to the center of the target than the opposing team. A game typically consists of eight or ten "ends," which are similar to innings in baseball.

A defining feature of the game is the vigorous sweeping action performed by two players. Using brooms or brushes, they sweep the ice in the path of the moving stone. This isn't for cleaning; the friction from sweeping gently heats the ice, creating a thin film of water that reduces friction and helps the stone travel farther and straighter. This strategic sweeping allows the team to influence the stone's trajectory and final resting place with remarkable precision, making it a critical element of the gameplay.

The sport originated in 16th-century Scotland, where it was first played on frozen (Review) lochs and ponds. The name itself comes from the motion of the stone. As a player releases the stone, they impart a slow rotation on it, causing it to follow a curved, or curling, path down the ice. This controlled "curl" is a fundamental skill, allowing teams to navigate around opponents' stones to score points. The first official rules were established in Scotland in the 19th century, and the sport was part of the very first Winter Olympics in 1924.