Ice stock sport
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Ice stock sport is a winter sport, somewhat similar to curling. 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 Germany and Austria, has been demonstrated at the Winter Olympic Games on two occasions. Although the sport is traditionally on ice surface, events are also held on tarmac 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 Dutch 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 constested in international championships.
In target shooting, two teams of three players each take turns in aiming for a target, the so-called Daube. Points are gained when the target is hit; additional points are scored when the target is pushed out of the playing field.
In distance shooting, the aim is simply to slide away the ice stock as far as possible.
External link
- International Federation Ice Stock Sport (http://eisstock.org/)