The 6th Annual Curling Royale event will begin at 3 p.m. at Mary Ann Banks Park Jan. 20 and team registrations are now being accepted.
Curling is a sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a target area which is segmented into four concentric circles. The sport, growing in popularity, is related to shuffleboard. Two teams, each with four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called rocks, across the ice curling sheet toward the house, a circular target marked on the ice. Each team has eight stones, with each player sliding two.
The player can induce a curved path, described as curl, by causing the stone to slowly rotate as it slides. The path of the rock may be further influenced by two sweepers with brooms or brushes, who accompany it as it slides down the sheet and sweep the ice in front of the stone. “Sweeping a rock” decreases the friction, which makes the stone travel a straighter path (with less curl) and a longer distance. A great deal of strategy and teamwork go into choosing the ideal path and placement of a stone for each situation, and the skills of the curlers determine the degree to which the stone will achieve the desired result, expert players explained. The purpose is to accumulate the highest score for a game; points are scored for the stones resting closest to the center of the house at the conclusion of each end, which is completed when both teams have thrown all of their stones once. A game usually consists of eight or 10 ends.
Romulus is accepting registrations from four-person teams. Officials said registration is not required, but is recommended. On site registration will begin at 2 p.m. The entry fee is $100 or $25 per player. Officials stressed that all the proceeds from the event will help fund the Veteran's Outreach Scholarship program. Checks should be made payable to VFW Post #78.
Organizers said there are limited spots available this year. Registration is available at https://www.romulusgov.com/.../6th-Annual-Curling-Royale-108 or by calling (734) 942-7545.
This event is weather permitting. The backup date is set for Saturday, Jan. 27.
No experience is necessary for this event, and snacks and refreshments are available for purchase. A special Happy Hour is planned at Artisan Reserve following the tournament.
Mary Ann Banks Park is located at 37200 Goddard Road, Romulus, MI 48174. The event welcomes spectators.
