The EuroTalk Guide to the Winter Games 2014

The EuroTalk Guide to The Winter Games 2014 LUGE BIATHLON BOBSLEIGH Lugers can reach speeds of 140 km/h as they steer their way, feet first, around a track on specially designed sleds. A combination of rifle shooting and cross-country skiing, this endurance sport has its origins in Norwegian military training. The sport involves high speed descent of an ice track in a controllable sledge, known as a bob, by teams of 2 or 4. Did you know? Did you know? Did you know? The team relay will be introduced at the Sochi Games for the first time and will feature one Biathlon was initially a form of hunting by inhabitants of Northern Europe, who skied while carrying a rifle. No bobsleigh events were held at the 196o Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley due to the lack of a bobsleigh track. woman, one man, and one doubles team from each nation. AERIAL SKIING SLALOM MOGUL SKIING Aerialists use jumps built of snow to propel them up to 6 metres in the air. Once airborn Athletes attempt to record the fastest time by skiing between poles (gates) set out along the Skiers make their way down a slope covered in bumps, or 'moguls, whilst performing tricks, jumps and tight turns. they use twists to earn points. somersaults and course. Did you know? Did you know? Did you know? Aerial skiers practise their tricks by flying down an artificial ski hill and landing in Malta are competing in the Winter Games for the first time in 2014, with Elise Pellegrin taking part in the women's slalom 'Mogul' comes from the German word 'mugl', meaning 'small hill'. water. DOWNHILL CURLING CROSS-COUNTRY Competitors use a streamlined 'tuck' position in order to reduce drag and achieve the fastest time down the run. The Participants use skis & poles to Two teams of four take turns to across snow-covered endurance slide a heavy stone across the ice towards a target area called the 'house'. The aim is to move terrain in this event. There are 12 contest is often very close, sometimes being decided by fractions of a second. cross-country events at the games with courses up to 50km long. get closer to the centre of the house than any opposition stone. Did you know? Did you know? Did you know? The Vikings were cross-country skiers. There is evidence that the Scandinavian warriors used skis for transportation, especially while hunting. the world's first The fastest of all the alpine events, Downhill can see skiers reaching speeds of 150km/h The stone used in curling weighs 19.96kg and was traditionally made from a special type of granite quarried on the Island of Ailsa Craig in Scotland. SKI JUMPING SPEED SKATING SKELETON Competitors race each other over a defined distance. A Skiers use a take off ramp & attempt to land the longest jump. Points are also awarded for style. typical rink is 400m and skaters can reach speeds of more than 50km/h. Competitors descend a special ice track, head first, on a sled. Each participant completes 4 runs, the quickest combined time taking gold. Did you know? Did you know? Did you know? The oldest person to win a medal in the Winter Games is ski jumper Anders Haugen, The first gold medal ever awarded at the Winter Olympics was to an American speed skater, Charles Jewtraw. Skeleton made its debut at the 1928 games in St. Moritz, but did not appear again until the 1948 winter games, also in St Moritz. who was 83 when he won bronze in 1924. SNOWBOARD FIGURE SKATING ICE HOCKEY Individuals, duos, or perform routines on ice and are awarded points by a judging panel based on their skating skill, execution, choreography, transition & interpretation. Two teams compete to put the puck in the opposition goal using sticks to move it around the ice. The victorious team is There are 10 snowboard groups events at the winter games, including halfpipe, slalom and slopestyle. the one that scores the most goals. Did you know? Snowboarding is considered to have been invented in 1929 by American, Jack Burchett. He created the first board out of ordinary plywood. Did you know? Ice Hockey made its debut at the Summer Games in 1920, four years before the Winter Olympics began in 1924. Did you know? American figure skater, Tara Lipinski won gold at the age of 15 & remains the youngest individual gold medalist in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. Going to the Games? Take uTalk with you, free app available now for iPhone and iOS eurotalk.com/utalkapp Download on the App Store