Olympic Curling Opener: Power Outage Strikes as Heavyweights Shine
Milano Cortina 2026 officially commenced the curling competition with a mixed doubles tournament. However, the inaugural event encountered an unexpected power outage, leaving the Cortina Olympic Stadium in darkness as Britain faced Norway.
Power Outage Interrupts Curling Match
The blackout occurred during the opening end of the match, disrupting play. Commentators Andrew Swain and Peter Psaltis addressed the unusual situation, comparing it to infamous moments in Australian sports history. Fortunately, the power was restored relatively quickly, allowing the match to continue.
Strong Performances from the Heavyweights
In the opening matches, several teams signaled their championship ambitions. Team Canada, led by Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman, dominated the Czech Republic with a decisive 10-5 victory. They established control early, showcasing their intent as gold medal contenders.
Meanwhile, Team GB, featuring the 2021 world champions Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, narrowly defeated Norway with a score of 8-6. After initially falling behind, the British duo made a strong comeback, netting crucial points in the second and sixth ends to secure their win.
Standout Matches and Teams
- Canada vs. Czech Republic: Result: 10-5
- GB vs. Norway: Result: 8-6
- Sweden (Isabella and Rasmus Wrana) vs. South Korea: Result: 10-3
- Switzerland vs. Estonia: Result: 9-7
Commentator Andrew Swain emphasized the thrilling dynamics of curling, likening its excitement to dramatic finishes in popular television shows. He also highlighted the sport’s nuances and the personal connections of some of the competitors, including three married couples in the tournament.
Looking Ahead
The tournament continues with Italy, the defending champions, taking center stage in upcoming matches. Ten matches are scheduled over three sessions, as teams compete in a round-robin format. Ultimately, the top four pairs will progress to the semi-finals after nine preliminary rounds.
Fans can catch the action live and on-demand through Channel 9 and 9Now, ensuring they do not miss a moment of the thrilling Olympic curling competition.
