Officially, summer began on December 1 here in New Zealand (where the first days of March, June, September, and December respectively are considered the start of autumn, winter, spring, and summer). But this icy view of Naseby, on New Zealand’s South Island, shows that harsh winters here offer great conditions for outdoor curling, or what competitors call ‘chess on ice.’ And when there’s a multi-game tournament going on, that’s a ‘bonspiel’ in curling lingo. This year marks the first ever Curling World Cup. The second leg of the four-leg event brings the curlers to Omaha, Nebraska, today through December 9. Canada’s teams won the first leg, in Suzhou, China. Will they face stiffer competition in the Cornhusker State?
’Chess on ice’
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Dog days of summer
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International Day for Biosphere Reserves
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There’s a dog in there somewhere
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One for the books
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Salt ponds of Maras, Peru
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Patriot Day
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Why’s it called a spelling ‘bee,’ anyhow?
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Let s get lost
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Jupiter and the Galilean moons
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200th anniversary of Brazilian independence
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A hidden jewel in Croatia
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World of WearableArt Awards
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The circular castle of Cornwall
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A prison fit for a count
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Aprils full moon
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World Environment Day
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National Museum of African American History and Culture
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Mack Arch Rock
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75 years of the United Nations
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I see one!
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Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona
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Mesmerizing murmuration
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Dolomites
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Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona
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Mount Logan in Yukon, Canada
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St. Patrick s Day
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Panda Day
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A Festivus for the rest of us
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Even nature needs a backup plan…
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Finding a balance between wetlands and water treatment