Team USA Curlers Face Initial Olympic Challenges
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Team USA curlers Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin faced significant challenges during their Olympic campaign on Saturday. They encountered defeats against Great Britain and South Korea, their first setbacks in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Competition Results
The Americans lost to Great Britain with a score of 6-4 and later fell to South Korea, losing 6-5 in an extra end. The loss against Great Britain was not unexpected, given that Team GB remained undefeated and has secured a spot in the semifinals ahead of schedule.
Match Highlights
- Match Against Great Britain:
- USA allowed two points in the first end and gave up a steal.
- Thiesse managed a crucial shot for three points to tie the game in the fifth end.
- Missed opportunities led to a steal for Great Britain, ultimately sealing the USA’s fate.
- Match Against South Korea:
- The Americans initially fell behind, conceding a point in the first end.
- In a dramatic turn, Thiesse executed a complex shot in the eighth end to tie the game.
- The extra end saw South Korea capitalize on a missed throw by Thiesse, securing their first win.
Current Standings and Future Outlook
After these two matches, Team USA holds a 4-2 record. They are tied for second place in the 10-team field, with three matches remaining. The next match is set for 7:35 a.m. CST against Estonia, who currently holds a 2-4 record.
Following the match against Estonia, the Americans will face a critical contest against Sweden, who are positioned at 4-3. With two-thirds of the round-robin completed, USA maintains a full-game lead over fifth-place teams Switzerland and Canada, both of which they have previously defeated.
The round-robin stage will conclude on Monday morning, where Thiesse and Dropkin will clash with the defending champions, Italy. The outcome of this final match will be pivotal for the Americans as they aim to secure a spot in the semifinals.
