Milano Cortina 2026: Canada Rallies Amidst ‘Curling-Gate’ Controversy
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, 17 February 2026 – The Olympic curling tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games has taken a dramatic turn, as high-stakes competition on the ice is overshadowed by a growing officiating crisis. While the Canadian rinks led by Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs have secured crucial victories to stabilise their standings, the sport’s governing body has been forced to intervene following repeated allegations of rule violations and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Controversy on the Ice: The ‘Double-Touch’ Scandal
The tournament has been rocked by what local media are calling “Curling-gate”. The tension peaked during a men’s session between Canada and Sweden on Friday, 13 February, when Canadian player Marc Kennedy was accused of a “double-touch” violation—accidentally touching a moving stone twice. The incident sparked a heated confrontation between Kennedy and Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson, leading to a formal warning for Kennedy regarding “inappropriate language” and “improper conduct”.
The controversy widened as Great Britain also faced similar accusations during their 9-4 victory over their opponents. In response to the outcry and the lack of video review capabilities at the house level, World Curling issued a rule reversal and protocol modification mid-tournament. The federation has clarified its stance on incidental contact to prevent further disputes, though calls for a permanent video replay system for Olympic matches continue to grow among athletes and fans alike.
Performance Update: Homan and Jacobs Find Form
Despite the off-ice distractions, Canada’s representatives have improved their positions in the round-robin standings. Rachel Homan’s women’s rink ended a difficult three-game losing streak on Monday morning. Following a 10-5 win over China and a subsequent 9-6 victory against Japan, Homan has levelled her record at 3-3, keeping Canada’s semi-final hopes alive.
In the men’s bracket, Brad Jacobs has been dominant. His rink secured a commanding 8-2 victory over Czechia on Tuesday morning, propelling them to a 5-1 record. Meanwhile, Czechia celebrated their first win of the tournament earlier in the day with a 9-7 result against Germany, ending a six-game drought.
Technical Specifications: The Olympic Curling Sheet
Curling is played on a precision-engineered sheet of ice designed to allow the 19.96 kg (42-pound) granite stones to “curl” or curve as they slide toward the target. The following specifications are standard for the Milano Cortina 2026 competition:
| Feature | Measurement / Detail |
|---|---|
| Sheet Length | 45.72 metres (150 feet) |
| Sheet Width | 4.75 metres (15 feet 7 inches) |
| Stone Weight | Approximately 19.96 kg (44 lbs max) |
| Hog Line Distance | 6.401 metres from the centre of the tee line |
| The “House” | Four concentric circles forming the target area |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “double-touch” in curling?
A double-touch occurs when a player accidentally makes contact with a stone after it has been delivered and is still in motion. Under standard rules, if a moving stone is touched by the team to which it belongs, it is typically removed from play, though officials have recently modified protocols to handle incidental contact more flexibly during these Games.
What is the current standing of the Canadian teams?
As of Tuesday, 17 February 2026, the Canadian men’s team led by Brad Jacobs holds a 5-1 record. The women’s team, skipped by Rachel Homan, currently sits at 3-3 following back-to-back wins against China and Japan.
Why is there no video replay in Olympic curling?
Traditionally, curling has relied on the “spirit of curling,” where players self-report fouls. However, the intensity of the 2026 Winter Olympics has led to calls from teams, including Sweden and Canada, to implement a formal video review process for “burned” (touched) stones and house measurements.