US vs China Curling: A Thrilling Victory for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The United States women’s curling team is making waves at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and their recent victory over China was nothing short of spectacular. While Team USA still has three round-robin matches remaining, their comeback win against China on Sunday is already being hailed as a highlight of the tournament.
From Behind to Victory: A Stunning Turnaround
The team, comprised of Tabitha Peterson, Cory Thiesse, Tara Peterson, and Taylor Anderson-Heide, initially found themselves trailing 4-1 after the fifth end. However, they refused to concede defeat. The turning point began with a 2-0 win in the sixth end, narrowing the gap to 4-3.
China briefly extended their lead to 5-3 heading into the seventh, seemingly extinguishing the U.S. comeback hopes. But Team USA had other plans.
“We just had to stick with it,” said Tara Peterson, the Team USA skip (via NBC Sports). “We had a good team meeting at the fifth end break of what we needed to do to flip it around for us for the second half, and we got more energy and our draw speed got a little bit better, and we kind of kept the pressure on them to make some tough shots.”
Fueled by renewed energy, Team USA managed to steal points in both the ninth and tenth ends, securing an improbable and exhilarating victory.
The Decisive Moments
Still down 5-4 entering the ninth end, a crucial miss by China’s Rui Wang allowed Team USA to steal a point and tie the game at 5-5. The drama reached its peak in the tenth and final end. China, with the hammer, strategically positioned stones around the button, creating a formidable defense.
However, Tabitha Peterson demonstrated exceptional skill, navigating the crowded house with precision and making it incredibly difficult for Wang to execute a successful shot. Wang’s subsequent throw lacked the necessary power, leaving her stone at the back of the house. This opened the door for Peterson to place her stone closest to the center, stealing the point and clinching the win for the U.S.
“I think it says a lot about our team. We’re not going to give up,” Peterson said after the match, via Olympics.com. “Just keep the game tight, and anything can happen, even if it’s a steal in the last end.”
Current Standings and Upcoming Matches
After six sessions of round-robin play, the U.S. team holds a strong second-place position at 4-1. Sweden currently leads the standings with a perfect 5-0 record, while Switzerland closely follows Team USA at 3-1.
The Swiss team will face Great Britain on Monday at 3:05 p.m. ET. Team USA will face Italy, the host country, earlier in the day at 1:05 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the action and cheer on Team USA as they continue their quest for Olympic gold. This World Curling Federation website provides detailed schedules and results.
This victory against China is a testament to the resilience and skill of Team USA, and it’s a moment U.S. curling fans won’t soon forget!
TEAM USA WOMEN’S CURLING WALKS IT OFF. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! 🇺🇸
