Winter Olympics 2026: Historic Upsets and Controversy Grip Cortina Curling Stadium
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, 14 February 2026 – The preliminary rounds of the 2026 Winter Olympic curling tournament have delivered a series of dramatic shifts in the global standings. While the Canadian men’s team maintains a dominant run, the women’s draw has been upended by a historic performance from the United States, alongside growing tensions regarding officiating and crowd etiquette at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
United States Secure Landmark Victory Over Canada
In a result that has sent shockwaves through the curling world, the United States women’s team, skipped by Tabitha Peterson, defeated the reigning world champions, Canada, with a 9-8 victory on Friday. This marks the first time in Olympic history that a US women’s rink has bested Canada on the ice. The match was decided in the final ends, where Peterson’s quartet capitalised on uncharacteristic errors from Rachel Homan’s Ottawa-based rink.
Despite the setback, Homan remains in contention following an earlier 10-4 demolition of Denmark’s Madeleine Dupont. The Canadian camp, supported by an extensive analytics team led by Tracy Fleury, expressed confidence in their ability to recover, citing “constant communication” and strategic adjustments as key to their upcoming fixtures.
Men’s Draw: Canada Undefeated as Sweden Struggles
The Canadian men’s team, skipped by Brad Jacobs, continues to set the pace in the tournament. On Friday evening, they secured an 8-6 victory over the reigning Olympic champions, Sweden. The loss leaves Niklas Edin’s Swedish rink in a precarious position with a 0-3 record, a surprising start for the pre-tournament favourites.
The host nation, Italy, also enjoyed a successful session, defeating Great Britain following a “disastrous” final stone by the British rink that gifted the Italians four points. The atmosphere outside the arena has been described as celebratory, though inside, players have voiced frustration over officials asking the vocal Italian crowd to remain silent during deliveries.
Key Match Results: 13 February 2026
| Event | Result | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Preliminary | USA 9 – 8 Canada | First-ever US Olympic win over Canadian women. |
| Men’s Preliminary | Canada 8 – 6 Sweden | Sweden’s Team Edin drops to 0-3. |
| Women’s Preliminary | Canada 10 – 4 Denmark | Match conceded after 7 ends. |
| Men’s Preliminary | USA 8 – 7 Czechia | Daniel Casper secures win in the 8th end. |
Controversy on the Ice
The tournament has not been without friction. A “cheating controversy” erupted during the Sweden vs Canada match, with Swedish players alleging that a Canadian player touched a moving stone. While an official reportedly acknowledged seeing the contact, no immediate penalty was applied, leading to heated exchanges on the ice. Additionally, Marc Kennedy of the Canadian team was involved in a viral moment after microphones captured frustrated outbursts during a tense end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Olympic curling stones come from?
All stones used in the 2026 Winter Olympics are crafted from unique granite sourced from the uninhabited Scottish island of Ailsa Craig. This granite is prized for its water resistance and durability on the ice.
What are the weight requirements for a curling stone?
According to official regulations, a curling stone must weigh between 17.24 kg and 19.96 kg (38 to 44 pounds), with a maximum circumference of 91.44 cm.
Why is France not competing in curling at the 2026 Olympics?
The French national curling team failed to qualify for the 2026 Games, marking 16 years since their last Olympic appearance. The absence is attributed to a lack of high-level infrastructure and competitive depth compared to North American and Northern European nations.