What exactly are Curling shoes made of? How do athletes keep their balance on the ice sheet through their footwear?
The Gold medal matches for the Beijing Winter Olympics Curling programme have been set – with Team GB in both the Men’s and Women’s events.
The Men’s final will be played on Saturday 19th February as GB take on Sweden, while the Women’s will be on Sunday 20th February as Japan look to deny GB the gold medal.
One of the mysteries of Curling is just how the athletes manage to move about on the ice without any problems – especially as they aren’t wearing ice-skates.
What type of shoes are worn in Curling – and what exactly are they made from?
No ice-skates in Curling
Curling is something out an outlier at the Winter Olympics.
It is the only sport to take place on ice without athletes wearing ice-skates.
Keeping your balance in Curling is essential.
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Whether it is your turn to deliver a stone, or trying desperately to sweep it into the right place on the ice, it’s best not to fall over.
The shoes that are worn in Curling are therefore crucial.
They certainly are not skates – but how can athletes glide so effortlessly across the ice sheet?
What Curling shoes are made of
Curling shoes actually feature different soles on each shoe – and both are equally as important.
One sole known as a ‘gripper.’
As it might suggest, the rubbery material is designed to give athletes traction and grip on the ice sheet to ensure they don’t fall over.
The other sole is known as a slider.
Here the idea is to give athletes the ability to glide over the ice with the minimal effort.
It is generally made from a Teflon material.
Left-handed players generally use the gripper on the left foot and slider on the right.
It is vice versa for those players who use their right hand to deliver a stone.
- EXPLAINED: What is the hammer in Curling – and why is it so important?
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