Team Homan’s Unexpected Defeat by U.S. Stuns Canada at Winter Olympics

Team USA achieved an unexpected victory over Canada’s Rachel Homan at the Winter Olympics. The American women’s curling team, led by skip Tabitha Peterson, triumphed with a close score of 9-8. This remarkable win marks the first time a U.S. women’s curling team has beaten Canada in Olympic history.

Match Overview

The match took place on Friday, and with this loss, Canada’s record at Milano Cortina 2026 fell to 1-1. Homan had previously dominated Peterson’s rink with a stellar all-time record of 12-1 going into this match. Despite a strong start, Canada struggled on the ice.

Game Highlights

• Canada held a 3-2 lead at halftime.
• Critical moments defined the game for both teams.
• The turning point occurred in the sixth end when the U.S. took a 6-3 lead.

In the pivotal sixth end, Team USA capitalized when Homan failed to execute a double takeout, which allowed Peterson to score four points. Canada regrouped and managed to stage a comeback due to errors from the American team. A missed double attempt by Peterson in the ninth end enabled Homan to score three points, taking an 8-7 lead.

Final Moments

The final end was marked by mistakes; Peterson missed an opportunity to secure her own points, instead giving Homan the chance for a draw. Ultimately, Peterson’s strategy faltered, allowing Homan to take the win with a final draw.

Looking Ahead

Despite the defeat, Canada still has one game remaining in curling on Friday. Brad Jacobs is set to face Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin, which has struggled with an 0-2 record early in the tournament. Jacobs improved to 2-0 after defeating the U.S. earlier on the same day.

Homan’s Olympic Journey

Homan is competing in her third consecutive Olympic event. She previously participated in the women’s discipline in 2018 and the mixed doubles in 2022 alongside John Morris. Unfortunately, she did not advance to the playoffs in either competition.

This stunning defeat adds an intriguing chapter to the ongoing Winter Olympics narrative, showcasing the intense competition in women’s curling.