PyeongChang 2018 Sport Week: Introduction to wheelchair curling

With less than a month to go until the Paralympic Winter Games gets underway, it is time to kick off the final PyeongChang 2018 Sport Week with an introduction to wheelchair curling.

Wheelchair curling is similar to its able-bodied version with some adaptations.

Two teams comprised of four players each take turns sliding stones across an ice sheet toward a target area called the “house.” Teams score points by getting it as close to the centre of the house as possible. The team with the most points after eight ends wins.

The head of the team is called the skip, who usually dictates other player’s shots through verbal and visual instructions.

The main differences between wheelchair curling and its able-bodied version are that there is no sweeping in wheelchair curling, and a delivery stick is allowed.

In wheelchair curling, stones are delivered from a stationary wheelchair.

Each team must be comprised of male and female players.

The sport is governed by the World Curling Federation (WCF).

The Paralympic Winter Games take place in PyeongChang, South Korea from 9-18 March. Tickets can be purchased here.

Helpful links:

World Curling website