Winter sports are popular among people of all ages. Skiing is probably the most popular or winter sports. Ther are many skiing events. Cross country skiing – it is the sport of skiing for pleasure across the countryside. Ski jumping is a comepetitive event in which individuals jump for distance after skiing down a long, sloping hill. Biathlon – combination of cross-country skiing and shooting. Racing downhill – the fastes direct route down the slepe. Slalom – race in which the skier must pass between pairs of poles...
Every four years there is a festival of winter sports, the Winter Olympic Games, where most of winter sports are performed. The first one took place in Gamonix, France in the year 1924, and the latest was in Nagano, Japan in 1998. The next Winter Olympics games will be in South Lake City, America, 2002. UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE - Since 1829 the university of Oxford and Cambridge agreed to have a race. Tradition started. Now every spring boat race go on the Thames. There are 8 men in each boat and there is also cox, who controls the boat. ROYAL ASCOT - Ascot is a small town in the south of England. In June it becomes the centre of horse racing. The Queen always goes there. Ascot is also famous for fashion, women wear extraordinary big hats. WIMBLENDON - Is the world’s famous tennis tournament. It’s in south part of London. It started in the 19th century. The court are grass and visiters eat strawberries. BOXING DAY HUNTS - Traditionaly boxing day is a day of hunting. The hunters ride horses and used dogs. Before a hunt they drink hot wine. Nowadays some people want to stop this tradition because it is cruel for animals. THE HIGHLANDS GAMES - 100s of years ago Scotish families (clans) started these games. The most interesting sport is Tossing the caber – it means, they have to lift and than throw very long about 6 meters and heavy piece of wood. Some men wear kilts. CRICKET - Is one of the most typical English sports. It demants a perfect pitch, sunny weather and a lot of time. It has its own language and one match can last up to three days. FOOTBALL - Is played by two teams of eleven players. There is a goal keeper, backs, half-backs and forward. The 23rd men on the field is the referee. BASKETBALL - Is all around the year game, it can be played out doors or in halls. The team scores if the ball falls throught a basket situated high above players heads. GOLF - Is a famous English and American outdoor game. It is played be one, two or three players or two players.