Latest womens curling results: USA splits opening day as Sweden starts 2-0

Women’s curling opened with a busy Thursday (ET) as the United States claimed an opening win over South Korea before running into a clinical Sweden side that closed out a 9-4 decision late. China also squeezed past Great Britain 7-6, rounding out a tense first day of round-robin play at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games.

USA starts strong, then stumbles against Sweden

Team USA kicked off its campaign with a confidence-building victory over South Korea, a composed performance that set a positive early tone. The second outing of the day told a different story. Up against a sharp Swedish quartet, the Americans traded early blows but couldn’t keep the momentum late, finishing the day at 1-1.

The split result leaves the U.S. firmly in the mix after the first turn of the round robin, with tougher tests still ahead. The opener showcased the Americans’ draw weight and setup play; the nightcap exposed the margins at this level when scoring chances aren’t fully converted.

How Sweden seized control in a 9-4 finish

Sweden, skipped by Anna Hasselborg, methodically tilted the ice as the ends wore on. After a 1-1 start through three, the U.S. briefly surged ahead 2-1 with a fourth-end steal when a Swedish tap-back didn’t land. Sweden answered with precision: a tidy tap-back for two in the fifth restored the advantage, followed by a single steal in the sixth as an American takeout attempt ran thin.

The U.S., skipped by Tabitha Peterson, punched back in the seventh with a well-managed draw for two to level it at 4-4. That was the last tie. Sweden coolly took one in the eighth by keeping the lone counting stone, then added a ninth-end steal when a U.S. double-blank attempt failed to clear everything. Chasing in the tenth, the Americans were forced into risk; a narrow angle raise to try for the equalizer overcurled, gifting Sweden three more and the final 9-4 margin.

It was classic Swedish curling: patience early, then ruthless execution when the board opened. The result capped a two-win day and placed Sweden on top of the early standings.

China edges Great Britain in a tactical opener

China and Great Britain delivered a chess match from the first stone. With hammer, Britain blanked the opening two ends to control tempo, then cashed a takeout for two in the third. China, skipped by Wang Rui, immediately matched with two in the fourth. After a cautious fifth, the scoreboard ticked up: Britain nudged ahead 3-2 in the sixth, only for China to reclaim the lead 4-3 with a seventh-end draw for two.

The pivotal move came in the eighth. Britain’s takeout attempt didn’t dislodge enough granite, and China stole two for a 6-3 cushion. Britain, with fourth player Rebecca Morrison throwing last, pulled one back in the ninth but couldn’t generate the needed multiple in the tenth. With hammer in hand, China removed the only British counter to bank a single and close it out 7-6.

Early standings snapshot and what’s next

Through the first day, Sweden sits 2-0 and looks every bit a title contender, combining disciplined stone placement with late-end shot-making. The United States lands at 1-1 after contrasting performances that offered both encouragement and areas to tighten up. China’s narrow win provides early separation in a crowded mid-table picture, while Great Britain, competitive throughout, will feel there’s plenty to build on after a one-shot game.

Thursday’s results (ET) underscore how thin the margins are in this field. With round-robin play stretching across multiple sessions, lineup rhythm, reading the ice early, and capitalizing on half-chances will define who rises into the playoff spots over the coming days.

Key numbers from day one

• Sweden 9, United States 4: Sweden turned a 4-4 tie into a runaway with steals in the ninth and a three in the tenth.
• United States 1-1: Opening win over South Korea followed by the evening loss to Sweden.
• China 7, Great Britain 6: A crucial eighth-end steal of two created the winning buffer.
• Momentum swings: Three multi-point ends across the highlighted games proved decisive in separating winners from losers.

It’s only day one, but the tone is set: steady hammer management and error-free execution in the back half of games are already dictating outcomes. The field has little to choose between the top contenders, and every end is carrying playoff implications.