US Curlers Dropkin, Thiesse Capture Silver in Mixed Doubles
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin made history as they secured a silver medal in the mixed doubles curling event during the 2026 Winter Olympics. The competition took place on February 10 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, where they faced off against Sweden in the gold-medal match.
Historic Performance at the Olympics
Thiesse and Dropkin, sometimes referred to as “Girl Cory” and “Boy Korey,” finished with a close score of 6-5 against the Swedish duo. This silver medal marks Team USA’s first-ever medal in mixed doubles curling, a discipline that debuted at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Path to the Medal
Throughout the tournament, Thiesse and Dropkin achieved a commendable 7-4 overall record. They secured their place in the semifinals by defeating Sweden 8-7 during the round-robin stage. However, they suffered a setback, falling to Italy 7-6 in their final round-robin match.
Despite the loss, they bounced back and edged out the Italian team 9-8 for a chance at the gold. Dropkin shared that the drive to the game was challenging, as their bus navigated heavy traffic, prompting them to request a quick exit to walk to the venue.
Details of the Gold-Medal Match
In the finals, Team USA won the first and third ends, but the Swedish team, comprised of Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa, gained the upper hand with a 2-0 lead in the second end, ultimately holding a 3-2 advantage after four ends. Thiesse and Dropkin managed to tie the game at 3-3 in the fifth end, much to the delight of the American fans in attendance.
- Match Score: USA 5 – Sweden 6
- Overall Record: 7-4
- Key Ends Won: USA – 1st, 3rd, 7th; Sweden – 2nd
- Shot Success Rate: USA – 73%, Sweden – 83%
The final moments of the match saw intense competition as Team USA led 5-4 going into the final end. However, a critical mistake led to Sweden claiming victory with the last shot.
Personal Journeys
Both Thiesse and Dropkin have rich backgrounds in curling. They began their careers separately, each winning national titles before teaming up in 2022. Their partnership has blossomed, culminating in their world championship victory before reaching the Olympic podium.
The duo reflected on how surreal the experience has been, crediting the supportive atmosphere created by their fans and a sports psychologist who helped them adapt to unexpected challenges. Their silver medals symbolize years of dedication and teamwork.
Future Plans
As for their new accolades, Thiesse and Dropkin joked about where they would keep their medals, with Dropkin humorously stating that it’s currently “around my neck” and Thiesse expressing a desire to “sleep with it for a little while.”
This remarkable achievement highlights the growing prominence of mixed doubles curling and sets a foundation for future Olympic aspirations for Team USA.
