For generations, the stones used in Olympic curling events have been forged from granite mined from a quarry on an uninhabited volcanic island off the Scottish coast, employing the same timeworn techniques to hand shape discs that glide across the ice in the world’s most elite competitions.
Well, Olympic officials said on Monday, the stones were having electronic problems.
The obvious question: How is that even possible?
Technological advances have transformed the Games, creating a range of tools that have empowered athletes to improve their performances and spectators to more easily watch and understand the events. But a hunk of granite — however artfully sculpted — might have seemed to be a more analog element of the Olympics.
In recent years, electronic advancements have been introduced to curling, like the devices embedded in the handle of the stones, the use of magnets placed below the ice and sensors in the stone to tell if a player has let go when the rules require them to. The devices were visible to players and spectators in the little green lights on the stones. (Those lights turn red if the curler hasn’t released in time.)
In a statement on Monday, Olympics officials said that they were suspending the use of those electronic monitors, citing unspecified technical issues. “The handles currently in use will remain in place on the stones,” the statement said, adding that “manual hog line judging will be in effect.”
Hog line refers to the border painted on the ice marking where sweeping can begin; the curler must release the stone before crossing that line. Failing to let go means the stone is taken out of play.
Much of curling remains tradition-bound, the stones in particular — all with roots on Ailsa Craig, the uninhabited island in the Firth of Clyde, off the west coast of Scotland. But technology has its place, too: in the elaborate and highly detailed process of preparing the ice for play, as well as in the brooms. But such developments have been met with skepticism and resistance by many in the sport.
"Electronic" - Google News
February 15, 2022 at 01:05AM
https://ift.tt/CDzXoZy
Curling Stones Are Having Electronic Problems. Here's How. - The New York Times
"Electronic" - Google News
https://ift.tt/CtdOy0Z
https://ift.tt/U2iAzWt
No comments:
Post a Comment