Expert ice-makers from Russia and other countries have concluded preparations for the curling tournaments at the 2019 Winter Universiade ©Krasnoyarsk 2019

Expert ice-makers from Russia and other countries have concluded preparations for the curling tournaments at the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk.

The men's and women's competitions are due to be held at the Ivan Yarygin Sports Palace from March 2 to 10.

Workers from Russia and outside of the Winter Universiade host nation have helped prepare the ice for the competitions, with experts stressing the difference between the surface needed for curling sheets and ice rinks intended for ice hockey and figure skating.

"Curling ice making is very specific in itself," World Curling Federation technician Mark Callan said.

"In other sports, it is not that critical whether the ice is flat and whether it has any slight imperfections. 

"But curling is a different story."

The final touches have been applied to the curling surface for the event ©Krasnoyarsk 2019
The final touches have been applied to the curling surface for the event ©Krasnoyarsk 2019

Callan added: "Perfectly flat ice is of high importance. 

"It guarantees the athletes' high quality performances due to the perfect sliding of the rock. 

"If the ice surface has some imperfections, the game turns into some sort of a roulette, because not the athlete's skill but a stroke of luck comes to the fore."

Russia, Norway, China, Canada, Sweden, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Britain, Switzerland, the United States, Italy and Japan are set to compete in the curling events at the Winter Universiade.

The gold medal matches will take place on March 10.