Curling - Chess on Ice

There is more to curling than just to get the stone to move forward. This is a most interesting and tactically demanding team sport. Also for wheelchair participants this game is not only a sliding party on ice, but a new Winter sport with a future.
Curling's popularity has increased within the last view years and has developed into a well liked wheelchair sport. Great technical aptness and precise, regulated delivery is a key component for its success and is less dependent upon conditional ability. This fact makes this sport also very popular for Tetraplegic and all forms of SCI patients including women.

 

Development of Wheelchair Curling

In the Fall of 1998 the first curling trainings were offered for wheelchair participants together with the Swiss Curling Association. It is a concern for wheelchair sports to promote this new team sport, and through it to create a new focus group for wheelchair participants.

 

In 1999 in Crans Montana, the first international workshop took place in which Sweden with one team, and Switzerland with two team's par took. Scotland had two representatives which wanted to first gain experience in wheelchair curling.

 

In 2001 in Sursee Switzerland, the first World cup was organized in wheelchair curling in which seven countries with each one team participated. Denmark, France, Italy, Sweden, Scotland, Czechoslovakia, and Switzerland. Switzerland took 2nd place right behind Denmark.

 

The following year Switzerland made history firstly, Nottwil/Sursee organized the first World Championship in wheelchair curling, and secondly in a very competitive tournament wan the first title.

 

In 2004 Nottwil sported the second World Championship in wheelchair curling . The Swiss team again, holding its position, won second place.

 

The goal is to continue to support and promote wheelchair curling. On one hand wheelchair curling is a good alternative for wheelchair riders which up to now have not yet found a suitable sport, or may have not developed an interest and pleasure in sports. On the other hand wheelchair curling shall be able to function on a high level and high standards upheld to be able to conquer possible medals for Switzerland.

 

Wheelchair Curling is the new Sport in the Winter-Paralympics 2006 in Turin!

 

Good Stone!