Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Canada’s mixed doubles curling team continued its strong performance at the , 2026 Winter Olympics, securing victories against both Norway and Italy. The Canadian duo of Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman demonstrated resilience and precision, topping the round-robin table with a 3-0 record after the wins.
The victory over Italy, a 7-2 decision concluded in just six ends, was particularly noteworthy, given Italy’s status as the defending Olympic champions. Canada’s strong start, including a five-point first end, visibly unsettled the Italian team of Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini, who had previously enjoyed a dominant run, including a 23-game winning streak in mixed doubles play.
“Every win is huge here because I think there’s so many evenly ranked teams,” Gallant stated after the match. “I think it’s going to be a dogfight, especially getting towards the playoffs. It’s going be very difficult.”
The Canadian team’s success follows a pattern of strategic play and adaptability. They overcame an early deficit against Sweden at the recent world mixed doubles curling championship, showcasing their ability to remain composed under pressure. That match, held on in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, ended in an 8-6 victory for Canada, maintaining their undefeated record at that tournament.
The Italian team, accustomed to success on home ice, appeared to struggle with the conditions at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Mosaner acknowledged difficulties with the ice, describing it as “too slow” for his preference, though he conceded that the conditions were uniform for both teams. Constantini also experienced uncharacteristic misses, contributing to the team’s early struggles.
The Canadian team capitalized on these difficulties, establishing a firm lead early in the match. Gallant attributed the strong start to a series of well-executed shots. “We were ready for it, and it was fun to hear all them,” Peterman said, referring to the Italian crowd. “It was also fun to hear our fans cheering really loud in the first end and kind of quiet them down a little bit too.”
The Canadian performance underscores the growing competitiveness of mixed doubles curling on the international stage. The discipline, which debuted at the 2018 Winter Olympics, has rapidly gained popularity, attracting a wider range of participating nations and showcasing a unique blend of strategy, skill, and teamwork. The 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, also held in Canada, served as a crucial qualifying event for the 2026 Winter Olympics, adding further significance to the competition.
Prior to the Olympic Games, Gallant and Peterman had already demonstrated their prowess as a team, winning their first two games at the 2025 World Championship against Germany (10-5) and Denmark (6-4). Their consistent performance has positioned them as strong contenders for a medal in Cortina.
The United States also emerged as a force in the early stages of the Olympic tournament, defeating Canada 7-5 on Day 3. The American team, comprised of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, secured a critical three points in the seventh end, overcoming an initial one-point deficit. Dropkin’s skillful sweeping and precise shot-making were instrumental in the victory, while Thiesse contributed key takeouts in the final end to secure the win.
“I think we did a good job of making a lot of team shots,” Thiesse commented after the match. “We had a really good grasp on the ice. We were definitely, especially Korey, feeding off the energy of the crowd. He was totally on fire today, and made so many great shots. And they played great too. It was a really back-and-forth game, for sure.”
The U.S. Team continued its winning streak with an 8-1 victory over Czechia, further solidifying their position as a top contender. Great Britain also remains undefeated alongside Canada and the United States.
Canada is scheduled to continue its round-robin play on , facing both the Netherlands and Italy. These matches will be crucial in determining their seeding for the playoff rounds. The outcome of these games will not only impact Canada’s medal prospects but also shape the overall competitive landscape of the mixed doubles curling tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
