Ice stock sport
Ice stock sport (also known as Bavarian Curling) is a winter sport, somewhat similar to curling. In German, it is known as Eisstockschießen. Competitors slide ice stocks over an ice surface, aiming for a target, or to cover the longest distance. Ice stocks have a gliding surface, to which a stick (ca 30 cm) is attached. The sport, mostly practised in southern Germany, Austria and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, has been demonstrated at the Winter Olympic Games on two occasions. Although the sport is traditionally played on an ice surface, events are also held on tarmacs in summer.
History
Although the sport is probably much older, the first proof of ice stock sport being practised stems from a 16th-century painting by Belgian painter Pieter Breughel. It would take until the 1930s before the sport became organized. A German federation was established in 1934, and German championships were established two years later.
European Championships were first held in 1951, and World Championships were first held in 1983, after the International Federation Ice Stock Sport (IFE) had been established.
Disciplines
There are several disciplines in ice stock sport, of which only target shooting and distance shooting are contested in international championships.
In target shooting, two teams of four players each take turns in aiming for a target, the so-called Daube. Points are gained by being closest to the Daube after all four players have thrown their stock.
In distance shooting, the aim is simply to slide away the ice stock as far as possible.
See also
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