In curling (yes, curling), the "skip" is the most important member of the four-man team. It is his job to push the 42-pound curling stone down the icy 138-foot long sheet and attempt to land the stone in the target (or "house") at the other end. After letting go of the stone (which must take place before reaching the hog line), the skip will slide for some distance after the stone; however, after letting go, the skip's involvement is basically over (except for exerting his teammates to "Hurry hard!"). Since the skip is center stage (or center sheet, rather) during a curling match—much as, say, the quarterback is in a football game—the skip receives the most prestige of all the members of a curling team.
Then again, a helpful noder has informed me that all the members of the team throw stones, but the skip "throws last and provides leadership." Yet my research concludes otherwise. WHOM TO BELIEVE?
Update: Indeed. The skip curls last, and leads the strategizing of his teammates—and, of course, screams like a bastard if the sweepers aren't sweeping enough.
Source: http://www.paulgross.org/mwb2.html