5 February 2026
United States of America open with a two win day at Olympic Winter Games
There were only two games in Thursday afternoon’s mixed doubles round-robin session, but both produced high drama and high quality play.
United States of America faced Switzerland in their second game of the day, while Canada played a Norway team still looking for their first win. The Americans did not have a game scheduled for Wednesday’s opening session, but had beaten Norway in their opening game on Thursday morning.
This set them up with good momentum going into their second game of the day. They secured a 3-2 lead in the third end when Cory Thiesse played a hit and stay to score two. In the fourth end, Thiesse’s perfect draw was too good for Switzerland, and Briar Schwaller Huerlimann gave up a steal of two when she was unable to pass an American stone. The United States of America had a 5-2 lead at the halfway break.
The American duo continued to dominate in the second half and, in the sixth, when Korey Dropkin cleared out the house, they scored another two points for a 7-3 lead. This put them on course to an eventual 7-4 victory — a second win that propels them into a four-way tie at the top of the table.
After the game, Cory Thiesse said, “We got off to a really great start. We weren’t at our best this morning we didn’t think, but we had really good draw-weight there and got comfortable with the ice, and that was the key to the game.”
When asked how it felt to be in a catch-up position after missing the opening session, she said, “We tried not to think about it too much. We came over and watched the games yesterday and got a little bit of a clue.”
Meanwhile Korey Dropkin looked at the bigger picture and said, “This Olympic Games is full circle now. Twenty years ago is where the dream started for me, watching Team Fenson win the bronze medal in Turino in 06.
“Twenty years later we’re in Italy and playing in my first Olympics and Cory’s second, and being together. This is a dream come true. I mean the mountains, and the snowy environment — we couldn’t ask for anything prettier than this. It’s been a great experience so far.”
Korey was also aware of the support the two of them are getting from back home: “We love our community and appreciate everybody’s support. They’ve been loud on line and we feel the love.”
In the other game between Canada and Norway, the game was level at 1-1 after the first two ends.
In the third, Norway were lying two after their last stone. Then, Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman played a double take-out to score two and move her team into a 3-1 lead. Canada followed this up with a single steal in the fourth when Norway’s Kristin Skaslien got a gentle tap-back wrong, and Canada earned a 4-1 lead at the fourth end break.
The teams swapped singles for the remaining four ends and Canada eventually secured a 6-3 win that puts them into the four-way tie at the top, along with Great Britain, Sweden and United States of America.
Follow the live scores from mixed doubles curling at Milano Cortina 2026 here.
Find the full mixed doubles schedule and results here.
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