Exploring Predictors of Team Performance in Curling Championships: An Investigation of Factors Predicting Success

Abstract

Curling is one of the most popular sports of the Olympic Winter Games. As strategy is very important for curling, it is called “chess on the ice”. Given the exponential surge in sports-related data, the analysis of game performance has assumed paramount importance, as it provides a valuable avenue for improving overall athletic performance. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of some parameters on championship performance of elite level curling teams. The data used in this study were taken from the World Curling Federation Historical Results database. World Mens/Womens Curling Championships (2021 – 2022 – 2023) and European Mens/Womens Curling Championships results (2019 – 2021 – 2022) included in the study. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the extent to which the independent variables, namely Draw Shot Challenge distance, shot performance, stolen points for, stolen points against, hammer efficiency, force efficiency, and difference of generated and given points, explained team success. Statistical Package for Social Sciences 24.0 software used for statistical analyses. The results revealed an R-value of 0.902 and an adjusted R-squared value of 0.804. In the study investigating the factors influencing team success in World and European Curling Championships, it was concluded that the difference of points generated and given points, Draw Shot Challenge distance, and hammer use efficiency predicts championship success.