Great Britain Secures Top Seed as Semifinals Set in Olympic Mixed Doubles Curling

Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat secured the top seed in the mixed doubles curling playoffs after completing round-robin play with an 8-1 record on Sunday at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The British duo joined defending champions Italy, the United States, and Sweden in advancing to Monday's semifinals after a dramatic final day of competition that eliminated Canada and ended several teams' medal hopes in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The day began with Great Britain experiencing their first defeat of the tournament, falling 7-6 to Switzerland in Sunday afternoon's eleventh session. The loss snapped their seven-game winning streak that had positioned them as the favorites to claim gold. However, Dodds and Mouat demonstrated championship resilience by bouncing back with a commanding victory against Italy later in the day, scoring three in the seventh end and stealing another in the eighth for a comeback win that clinched the number one seed. Great Britain's comeback against Italy showcased their tactical superiority despite being out-shot in takeouts. Italy recorded 13 takeouts to just eight for Great Britain, but the British team outperformed their opponents by 12 percent on takeout attempts, demonstrating superior precision when it mattered most. The victory gave Dodds and Mouat a crucial advantage heading into the medal rounds, as the top seed provides a more favorable semifinal matchup. The final day of round-robin play also saw other nations clinch their playoff berths in dramatic fashion. South Korea's 9-5 victory over Canada, combined with Norway's 6-3 win over Switzerland, eliminated both Canada and Switzerland from semifinal contention. The defending Olympic champions from Italy advanced alongside the United States and Sweden, setting up what promises to be an intensely competitive medal round. The mixed doubles curling competition has been one of the most captivating events at Milano Cortina 2026, with teams separated by minimal margins throughout the round-robin stage. Great Britain's journey from undefeated through seven matches to suffering their first loss before recovering showcased the unpredictable nature of the sport at the Olympic level. The British team had previously defeated the United States during round-robin play, handing the Americans one of their few losses in the competition. The semifinals on Monday will determine which teams advance to compete for gold and bronze medals. With Great Britain holding the top seed at 8-1, they have positioned themselves as the team to beat, but the tight competition throughout the tournament suggests that any of the four remaining teams could emerge as Olympic champions. The home crowd will be cheering loudly for Italy as they seek to defend their mixed doubles title from the previous Winter Olympics, while the United States and Sweden will aim to upset the favorites and claim Olympic glory in one of curling's most exciting events.