Canada’s Curling Campaign at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are underway, and Team Canada is making its mark across a variety of disciplines. While the spotlight shines on events like hockey and figure skating, the precision and strategy of curling are captivating audiences worldwide. This article provides an update on Canada’s performance, focusing on the thrilling world of women’s Olympic curling and other key events.
A Historic Upset: USA Defeats Canada in Curling
In a stunning turn of events, the United States women’s curling team achieved a historic victory, defeating Canada 9-8 on Friday. This marks the first time the U.S. has ever beaten Canada in Olympic women’s curling. Rachel Homan’s rink, comprised of Emma Miskew, Sarah Wilkes, and Tracy Fleury, faced a tough battle in a closely contested game. Despite the loss, Homan remains optimistic. “Obviously, we wanted to win that game,” she stated, “But there’s lots of games left, and we’ll just take the lessons from that game.” Canada’s women will face Great Britain and Switzerland in their upcoming matches, aiming to rebound from this setback.
Other Canadian Highlights from the Games
Beyond the ice, Canadian athletes are showcasing their talent across various sports. Ted-Jan Bloemen, a seasoned long-track speed skater, finished ninth in the men’s 10,000-metre event, concluding a remarkable Olympic career. Meanwhile, Adam Runnalls led the Canadian contingent in men’s biathlon, finishing 31st in the 10 km sprint. Stephen Thomas also delivered a strong performance in cross-country skiing, securing ninth place in the men’s 10km interval-start race.
In women’s snowboard cross, Audrey McManiman’s Olympic journey ended earlier than hoped, but she celebrated the resilience it took to return to competition after multiple ACL surgeries. She will team up with Eliot Grondin in the mixed team snowboard cross event on Sunday.
Hockey Update: Marie-Philip Poulin’s Return and Men’s Team Progress
Captain Marie-Philip Poulin is back in practice after recovering from a lower-body injury, offering a boost to the Canadian women’s hockey team. Her availability for the quarterfinal match against Germany remains uncertain. The Canadian men’s hockey team continues its strong performance, preparing to face Switzerland in a battle of undefeated teams. Logan Thompson, the team’s goalie, has a remarkable story of perseverance, rising from university hockey to the NHL and now the Olympics.
Figure Skating and Beyond
Deanna Stellato-Dudek, overcoming a recent head injury, is ready to compete in the pairs figure skating event, aiming to make history as the oldest woman to compete in Olympic figure skating in nearly a century. In men’s figure skating, the competition is heating up with American Ilia Malinin leading the charge, potentially attempting the groundbreaking quadruple axel jump.
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are proving to be a captivating spectacle, filled with inspiring stories of athleticism, determination, and national pride. Stay tuned for further updates on Canada’s performance, particularly in the exciting world of women’s Olympic curling.
