U.S. Secures Spot in Olympic Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Match with Legendary Performance
USA Curling has secured a place in the Olympic mixed doubles gold medal match for the first time since 2018. The American duo, Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, achieved this remarkable feat by defeating Italy 9-8 in a thrilling semifinal showdown at Milano Cortina 2026.
Thrilling Semifinal Outcome
On Monday, Thiesse made a crucial final shot that sealed the victory, demonstrating composure under pressure. Dropkin encouraged Thiesse, reminding her to breathe and trust her skills. After the match, the two celebrated their success, with Dropkin calling Thiesse “legendary.”
Past Olympic Performances
The journey of U.S. mixed doubles curling at the Olympics has been challenging. In 2018, the team of Rebecca Hamilton and Matt Hamilton placed seventh with a 2-5 record, marking the event’s debut. The 2022 Olympics saw Vicky Persinger and Chris Plys finish eighth with a 3-6 record. Thiesse and Dropkin are now vying for the nation’s second gold medal in curling history.
Upcoming Gold Medal Match
The duo will face Sweden’s sibling team, Isabella Wrana and Rasmus Wrana, in the gold medal match. The Swedes have improved throughout the tournament, boasting a 4-1 record after an early 2-3 start. In their semifinal, they defeated Great Britain decisively, winning 9-3.
Previous Encounters
Earlier in the competition, the U.S. secured a win against Sweden during the round-robin stage, indicating their competitive edge. This matchup will be pivotal for both teams, with Sweden aiming for their best Olympic mixed doubles performance yet.
Performance Highlights
The semifinal against Italy was tightly contested. Thiesse shot an impressive 92 percent, while Dropkin achieved 85 percent accuracy. In contrast, Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner struggled, with shooting percentages of 75 and 74, respectively. Their inability to perform in critical moments ultimately cost them the match.
Sweden’s Dominance
In the semifinal against Great Britain, Sweden’s Wrana siblings outperformed their opponents. Isabella shot 91 percent, while Rasmus was at 92 percent. Great Britain’s Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat could not match that level, with both players shooting below 70 percent.
Canada’s Performance
Although Canada did not make it to the playoffs, Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant earned a victory against Switzerland in their final match, finishing with a 4-5 record. Gallant showcased a strong performance, achieving 97 percent shooting accuracy, which may boost his confidence heading into the men’s tournament.
What’s Next
The mixed doubles curling event at Milano Cortina 2026 runs from February 4 to February 10. Fans can stay updated on scores, standings, and further developments on Filmogaz.com.
