Latvia score first wheelchair mixed doubles win at Milano Cortina 2026

After Friday morning’s fourth session of wheelchair mixed doubles curling, we are halfway through the round robin in the Cortina Olympic Stadium.

Before this session, Latvia were the only team still looking for their first win, while People’s Republic of China were the only undefeated duo sitting on top of the table.

Latvia met Estonia in this session in an all-Baltic battle. 2023 world champions Latvia had a great start, and were leading, 5-2, at half-time. Estonia fought back in the second half, scoring three and stealing one for a 6-5 lead after six. Latvia had excellent draw play in the seventh, and scored four to retake the lead, 9-6. In the eighth, Estonia called for Power Play, but didn’t see a chance to score three, and conceded the game before the last stones were thrown. Latvia picked up their first win at the Games, 9-6.

Afterwards, a delighted Polina Rozkova said, “It was a long time coming. We changed our playing positions and it worked. From now on, we need to stay very-very focused because we need it.”

With this loss, Estonia are tied in second place on the rankings with a won two, lost two record.

Latvia’s Polina Rozkova and Agris Lasmans © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

Previously undefeated People’s Republic of China met Republic of Korea. Team China were leading 4-1 after four ends. In the fifth, Korea’s Lee Yongsuk made an exceptional double take-out, which was followed by Baek Hyejin’s perfect draw for three and a tied game at 4-4. After trading two-point scores in the following two ends, the game was tied again, 6-6, going into the eighth. Team China’s Wang Meng had to execute a perfect take-out for the win, which she had no problem with. Team China scored four, won 10-6, and kept their unbeaten record intact.

With this victory, Team China are sitting at the top of the table with a 4W-0L record, while Korea are tied in second place with a 2W-2L record.

Team China celebrate their victory with their coaches © World Curling / Ansis Ventins

2025 world champions, Japan attempted to recover from their Thursday evening loss when they played Italy. The Japanese were in control from the start, and got onto a 5-0 lead after three ends. Italy switched gears at this point, and scored in four consecutive ends for 5-5 after seven. In the eighth, Japan used their Power Play, scored a single point with it, and won, 6-5.

With this victory, Japan are in joint second place on the standing (2W-2L), while Italy are at the bottom of the table on one win, three losses, sharing seventh place with Latvia.

Italy’s Orietta Berto © World Curling / Will Palmer

In the last game of the session, Great Britain played United States of America. The game was a close battle all the way through, and the teams were tied at 6-6, going into the eighth end. There, Great Britain capitalised on their last-stone advantage, scored one and picked up their second win, 5-4.

Afterwards, Joanna Butterfield said, “That was an absolute battle. Both teams were playing quite well and it was the case of just making sure we keep the pressure on and minimise anything. It was a one here, one there, it was nice that we picked up a couple in our Power Play and I think that turned the game a little bit and the momentum went on our side. I enjoyed it. I felt like we needed to dig deep and at the end it was the case of just go, get that score and get over the line.”