The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have delivered some of the most dramatic curling action fans have seen in years, as the world’s top teams battle it out on the ice for a shot at Olympic glory. Mixed doubles, men’s, and women’s curling events have all been in full swing, with Team Canada, Team Korea, Switzerland, and several other countries making headlines—sometimes for their resilience, sometimes for their heartbreaks, and often for their sheer determination.
Let’s set the stage. The opening ceremony took place on February 6, but curling fans didn’t have to wait that long: the mixed doubles competition began two days earlier, with Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant jumping right into the thick of things. Gallant, already a fixture on the men’s team, is pulling double duty this Olympics, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Canada’s mixed doubles duo started their campaign with a bang, notching wins over Czechia (10-5), Norway (6-3), and Italy (7-2). Their early dominance seemed to signal another potential run for gold, reminiscent of Canada’s 2018 mixed doubles triumph. But as the week wore on, the competition stiffened and the tides turned. Losses to the USA (7-5), Great Britain (7-5), Estonia (8-6), Sweden (7-6), and South Korea (9-5) left the Canadians in a precarious position, their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. Still, with matches against Switzerland and possible medal games ahead, the story is far from over for Peterman and Gallant.
Meanwhile, the men’s and women’s events are just heating up. Brad Jacobs, Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, Ben Hebert, and Tyler Tardi form a formidable men’s squad, set to begin their round-robin on February 11 against Germany. The women’s team, led by Rachel Homan with Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, Sarah Wilkes, and Rachelle Brown, will kick off their campaign on February 12 against Denmark. Both teams aim to reclaim the Olympic gold last won in Sochi 2014, and anticipation is sky-high among Canadian fans.
But it’s not just the Canadians making waves. On February 7, the Republic of Korea’s mixed doubles pair, Kim Seonyeong and Jung Youngseok, delivered a performance for the ages. Having suffered five straight losses to Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Czechia, the Korean duo found themselves staring down elimination and a winless campaign. Yet, in a thrilling ninth round-robin session against the United States, they clawed their way back from adversity.
The match was a nail-biter from the start. Korea jumped ahead with a point in the first end and stole another in the second, building a 2-0 lead. The Americans, represented by Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, responded in the third, and the teams traded singles through the middle ends. In the pivotal seventh, a misjudged shot by Thiesse handed Korea a steal and a 5-2 advantage. Just when it seemed the Koreans might coast to victory, the U.S. stormed back with three points in the eighth, tying things up and forcing an extra end.
With the pressure at its peak, Kim Seonyeong stepped into the hack for her final stone. The arena was buzzing, the crowd on edge. Kim later reflected, “I didn’t really think about the crowd. If there’s only one fan in the crowd cheering for me that’s all I need but there were many people cheering for us which was a big help.” Her draw landed perfectly on the button, sealing a 6-5 win and Korea’s first victory of the tournament. Jung Youngseok captured the moment’s significance, stating, “Obviously that was big, but I think the most important thing is that I think we showed the world that the Korean mixed doubles team is capable of winning on the world stage. Technically and strategically, we are able to win on the world level, so it’s very big for Korean curling.”
Despite the jubilation, Korea’s path to the semifinals remains nearly impossible. With a 1-5 record, they’re tied at the bottom of the standings with Czechia, while Great Britain has already clinched a spot in the final four with seven consecutive wins. Still, for Kim and Jung, this victory is a testament to perseverance and belief in their process. As Kim put it, “We just trusted each other, we trusted in the process that we’ve had before prior to the Olympics. We obviously won our tickets through the Olympic Qualifying Event, and we just needed to trust each other, believe in the process and perform well in each game.”
Elsewhere, Switzerland’s mixed doubles team kept their playoff hopes alive with a resounding 10-3 win over Czechia. Briar Schwaller-Huerlimann and Yannick Schwaller, now joint fifth with Canada, are relishing the unique Olympic experience—especially with their toddler son River joining them for the first time. “It’s fun — it’s a different chapter,” Briar said. “You get a different perspective on curling and sport in general, being a mum or a dad. River is here and we’re enjoying every moment that we can share with him.”
Estonia also made headlines by handing Canada its third straight loss, 8-6, in a match where Marie Kaldvee’s opening triple set the tone. Italy edged Norway 6-5 in another closely fought contest, while Great Britain’s unbeaten run has them looking like the team to beat.
For fans eager to catch every stone and sweep, Canadian coverage is robust. CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet are broadcasting all draws featuring Team Canada, with free streaming available on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website. The drama, strategy, and skill of Olympic curling are just a click away for viewers across the country.
Looking ahead, the mixed doubles round-robin will conclude with key matches, including Canada facing Switzerland, before the semifinals and medal games on February 10. The men’s and women’s competitions will soon take center stage, with medal rounds stretching into late February. As the Olympic curling tournament unfolds, every end, every shot, and every moment is up for grabs—and history is waiting to be written.
With the semifinals race tightening and the world’s best on display, curling fans are in for a wild ride as the 2026 Winter Games continue. Will Canada rebound? Can Switzerland break through? And could Korea’s breakthrough win spark a new chapter for their program? Stay tuned—the house is far from settled.