U.S. Women’s Curling Team Secures Historic Olympic Win Against Canada

The U.S. women’s curling team achieved a historic victory over Canada, marking an Olympic first. This 9-8 win, which occurred on Friday, surprised the players and fans alike. Minneapolis native Taylor Anderson-Heide expressed pride in their performance against the world’s top-ranked team.

Tara Peterson from Shoreview, Minnesota, echoed her teammate’s sentiments, noting the significance of defeating Canadian skip Rachel Homan. Until this match, the U.S. women had not recorded a victory against Canada since curling’s Olympic debut in 1998. In contrast, the U.S. men’s team had previously beaten Canada in the 2018 Winter Games, leading to their gold medal finish.

Historic Match Details

The thrilling match showcased the U.S. team’s ability to exploit Canada’s mistakes. Following their win, the American players celebrated by walking down the ice, raising their fists in triumph. Peterson remarked on the novelty of the victory, stating, “Apparently, we’ve never beat them in the Olympics before. That makes it just extra special.”

Team Composition

The U.S. women’s team comprises talented players including:

• Tabitha Peterson (skip)
• Tara Peterson
• Taylor Anderson-Heide
• Cory Thiesse
• Aileen Geving (alternate)

Three members balance their athletic careers with professional jobs, including Tara, a dentist, Tabitha, a pharmacist, and Cory, a lab technician. Additionally, the team reflects the challenges of motherhood, with three players being mothers to young children.

Upcoming Matches

The team is determined to build on their momentum, sitting at a 2-1 record after defeating Korea and suffering a loss to Sweden in their earlier encounters. As they continue through the round-robin stage, the players are focused on their next steps heading into the semifinals next Friday at the Milan Winter Olympics in 2026.

Peterson stated her approach to the Olympics is pragmatic, viewing it as simply another tournament. This perspective enables the athletes to perform under pressure while maintaining a sense of normalcy in their lives. The blend of approachability and ambition defines this year’s U.S. women’s curling team, making their Olympic journey compelling to follow.