Visit: www.2012USACurlingNationals.com

PHILADELPHIA, April 5, 2011…The sport known as "Chess on Ice" is coming to the Philadelphia region for the first time in 2012, when the USA Curling National Championships will be held at IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

The sport, which captivates a growing number of people every four years during the Winter Olympics, has gained increasing popularity since it became an Olympic sport in 1998. There are now over 1.5 million people curling at various levels around the globe.

"The partnership between IceWorks and the Philadelphia Sports Congress presented a very strong bid," said Chris Sjue, president of USA Curling, whose sport dates back to medieval Scotland. "During a recent site visit, we became convinced that their collaboration, along with the support of the local curling community, will make the 2012 USA Curling National Championships a successful and very exciting event."

Comprised of two teams of four players each, curling features players (curlers) sliding stones called rocks across a sheet of ice towards a target area. Each team has eight stones. The purpose is to accumulate the highest score for a game, points being 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. A game may consist of ten or eight ends.

As part of the game's strategy, the curler can induce a curved path by causing the stone to slowly turn as it slides, and the path of the rock may be further influenced by two sweepers with brooms who accompany it as it slides down the sheet, using the brooms to alter the state of the ice in front of the stone.

"Hosting the 2012 USA Curling National Championships further showcases Philadelphia as a dynamic and diverse sports destination," said Larry Needle, executive director, Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Whether it's curling, table tennis, squash, dragon boat racing or the more traditional sports, Philadelphia is proud to host events of all shapes and sizes."

The 2012 USA Curling National Championships are a collaborative effort which includes the City of Philadelphia; IceWorks; Delaware County, Pennsylvania; the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the area curling community.

 

The Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel , seeks to attract major sporting events and conventions to the Philadelphia area. The Sports Congress, working in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia, the city's professional teams and universities, has attracted many events to the city and is currently working on bids for future sporting events.