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Olympic Curling 101: What you need to know

"It's kind of like chess on ice or checkers," says Korab. "You've got angles like billiards or shuffleboard."
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games has sparked an interest in some sports here in metro Atlanta, and that includes the intriguing competition known as curling.

MARIETTA, Ga -- The 2018 Winter Olympic Games has sparked an interest in some sports here in metro Atlanta, and that includes the intriguing competition known as curling.

11Alive's Jerry Carnes joined with members of the Peachtree Curling Association in Marietta for a little Curling 101.

Competitors push a 45-pound "stone" across textured ice toward a target, or "house." You score by putting your stone in the bullseye, or "button".

"We actually put a turn on the stone that allows it to move like a curveball," says Peachtree Curling's Bob Hogan.

So slippery and nuanced is this sport that it hooked Justin Shepherd during the Winter games four years ago. Now, he's taking lessons at Peachtree Curling in Marietta.

"There's a lot of skill there's a lot of talent," says Shepherd. "You're constantly learning new strategy."

Your teammates use brooms to sweep the textured ice so the stone maintains momentum.

Jamie Korab won Olympic gold in curling in 2006.

"It's kind of like chess on ice or checkers," says Korab. "You've got angles like billiards or shuffleboard."

If you think it's easy, you've never done it. Push too hard with your legs or arms and your shot can get away from you. Fail to put the right spin on the stone and you miss the mark. And remember, you're on an unpredictable sheet of ice.

Peachtree Curling has lessons for beginners and advanced athletes, as well as competition. Visit their website here.

The USA women's curling team take on Canada on Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. ET. You can watch it here.

RELATED | 11Alive's Winter Olympic Coverage

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