For those who want to recover after the New Year's feast
Around the World talks about several unusual winter sports , which will give a great mood and unforgettable sensations and help you stay in good shape in the cold season.
Skijoring
In skijoring, the skier follows the dogs, horse or vehicle. This sport is especially popular in the Scandinavian countries, where in the 1850s animals were used to move faster through snowy areas.
In the equestrian variety of skijoring, a rider sits on a horse or the skier himself controls it. Today, numerous skijoring competitions are held, and skiers often have obstacles to go around and jumps on the route.
Broomball
Broomball is a team game that resembles hockey, only instead of clubs use brooms or sticks imitating them with plastic tips, instead of pucks – a ball, and instead of skates – shoes with flat soles.
It is believed that the game appeared in Canada, where broomball was played back in the 19th century, and in 1909 the first “official”, that is, registered match took place. Since then, the game has become popular in many countries around the world, where it is possible to go out on the ice in winter. Of course, professional broomball players have special equipment, and the rules strictly regulate the number of players in a team and behavior on the field, but amateurs often neglect these conventions just to have fun.
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Snowkiting
Snowkiting is a sport that involves skiing, skating or snowboarding on ice or snow using a large kite or sail. The record speed that was achieved when moving in this way is about 111 km/h.
The founder of snowkiting is recognized as the German Dieter Strazilla, who developed and first tested a similar system with a gliding parachute. The best places for snowkiting are in the Engadine region of Switzerland on Lake Silvaplana and in the Italian Finschgau on Lake Resia, where snowkiting competitions are held regularly.
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This sport owes its origin to the German TV presenter Stefan Raab, who in 2003 made a bet and on the air for the first time swept down the hill in this way. It was thanks to Raab that the world championships in individual and team wok racing began to be held regularly in Germany.
Akroski
Akroski, or ballet on skis, is one of the types of freestyle that has already experienced the peak of popularity. Once the species was included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games.
In addition to skiing, ballet on skis included jumps, spins, somersaults, and in pair performances, support and synchronization were of great importance. When competitions were held in Akroski, the artistry and technical skills of the participants were evaluated. Since 1999, ski ballet has gradually disappeared from the programs of official competitions. However, there are amateurs in the USA and Canada who continue to practice akroski in their free time.
Sailing
Windsurfers will find something to do in winter. They can ride on ice-covered rivers and reservoirs on a sailboat – mounted on a platform equipped with skates and a sail. Due to the low friction force on ice, such sailing “boats” can reach high speed.
The emergence of this sport is associated with the desire of Europeans to use the frozen surface of the water to transport goods. Gradually, this occupation began to lose its practical significance and turned into a hobby. Today, boating is common in the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, Russia, as well as in the northern United States, Canada and Central Europe.
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Great shark fishing
Not exactly a sport, but still winter activity: in the Greenlandic city of Umanak, from February to April, tourists are offered to go on an unusual hunt. The tour lasts for about a week, during which adventurers, together with seasoned anglers, try to catch a fish that lives under a thick layer of ice, a polar shark.
Used for hunting special gear. Despite the fact that the polar shark is slow, it is not so easy to catch it: the length of the fish can reach 6.5 m, and the weight – 600 kg. According to biologists, even larger fish can hide under the ice. Also, during such a tour, tourists can catch a Greenland halibut and ride a sled.
Photo: Getty Images
The material was first published in January 2019, partially updated in January 2023
Elena Borodina