[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Are men truly using all their strength to hurl a rock down the ice in curling?

Having been somewhat of a long-time curler i cannot fathom using more strength than a solid push off the hack for takeout weight

For starters, men would have the edge in a curling battle of the sexes because core muscle strength affects the speed with which curlers propel themselves from the “hack” (akin to a starting block) and reach the point where they are required to release the stone. A top male curler can cover that distance in about five seconds, whereas a top female takes about seven seconds.

Power also is an asset as stones accumulate near the bull’s-eye-like target at one end of the ice and the roughhousing begins. Curling teams amass points by placing stones in concentric rings on the ice and knocking opponents’ stones out of scoring position. When it’s essential to send a rival’s stone flying, strength helps.

“If the other team has a couple of rocks in the rings [scoring position], generally the male curler is going to be able to move more granite, so to speak, and throw a little harder,” said Matt Hamilton, 28, of McFarland, Wis., a 6-foot-2 curler who is on the men’s team and will compete with his sister Becca, 28, in the inaugural Olympic mixed doubles event.

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