Historic Moment: USA Mixed Doubles Curling Reaches Olympic Gold Match
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin have just made history for American curling, advancing to the gold medal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This marks the first time a U.S. mixed doubles team has reached the medal round since the discipline joined the Olympic program in 2018. Their journey has been a dramatic mix of resilience, skill and clutch performances under pressure.
The duo faced a tough road, starting with a two-loss day that could have derailed their Olympic hopes. But they bounced back, securing critical victories over Estonia and Sweden. Against Estonia, they stole a point in the final end to edge out a 5-3 win. Then, in a nail-biting evening session, they narrowly defeated Sweden 8-7, showing nerves of steel and precise shot-making.
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Their semifinal matchup was even more intense. Facing reigning Olympic champion Italy, whom they had already met in the final round-robin game, Thiesse and Dropkin had to navigate a tightly contested rematch. The score was tied at 5 halfway through and momentum swung back and forth as both teams refused to give ground. A two-point round gave the U.S. a brief advantage, but Italy quickly responded with three unanswered points. It all came down to the final two shots and with a perfectly executed strike, Team USA knocked Italy’s stone out of the house, securing a spot in the gold medal match and guaranteeing a podium finish.
This achievement is historic not only for the athletes but also for U.S. curling. Mixed doubles is a fast-paced, strategic game where every shot counts and strategy plays a crucial role in deciding when to guard, draw, or remove stones. Thiesse and Dropkin’s performance demonstrates a mastery of this delicate balance between precision, power and tactical thinking.
Next, they face Sweden in the gold medal match, while Great Britain will compete against host nation Italy for bronze. For the United States, this is more than just a medal opportunity—it’s a statement that American curling can compete with the traditional powerhouses of the sport on the world stage.
Their success also highlights the growth of curling in the U.S., a sport that dates back centuries but is still building its footprint domestically. From local clubs in Minnesota and Massachusetts to the Olympic ice in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Thiesse and Dropkin’s journey underscores the impact of dedication, teamwork and belief in reaching the pinnacle of competition.
Stay with us as we continue to follow Team USA’s historic run and witness the thrilling conclusion in the race for Olympic gold in mixed doubles curling. Every stone counts and every moment matters—don’t miss a second.
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