United States and Canada Stay Perfect in Mixed Doubles Curling as Winter Olympics Competition Heats Up in Cortina

The mixed doubles curling tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics delivered high drama on February 6 as the round-robin stage continued at Cortina Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The United States faced a demanding schedule with two matches on Friday, including a highly anticipated showdown against Canada scheduled for 4:05 a.m. ET, as ten nations compete for the four medal round spots available to the top finishers in preliminary round play. Team USA has emerged as one of the tournament favorites through the opening sessions, maintaining a perfect record alongside Canada and Great Britain. The Americans' strong start has energized supporters back home and positioned them well for a potential medal run. The mixed doubles format, which features two-person teams rather than the traditional four-person rinks, has produced fast-paced and tactical competition that has captivated audiences both in the venue and watching on television. Canada's Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant delivered the most shocking result of the tournament on Thursday, February 5, when they defeated Italy's Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini to snap the Italian pair's remarkable 23-game mixed doubles winning streak. The Italian duo, who captured gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and had dominated the discipline for nearly four years, had entered Milano Cortina 2026 as heavy favorites to defend their title on home ice. The loss represents a significant setback for Italy's medal hopes and has blown the tournament wide open. The defeat was particularly crushing for Italian curling fans who had hoped to see Constantini and Mosaner become the first pair to successfully defend an Olympic mixed doubles curling title. Despite the setback, the Italians remain in contention for the medal rounds with several matches still to play in the round-robin. Their experience and skill give them a strong chance to rebound and secure one of the crucial top-four finishes needed to advance. With competition continuing through February 10, the mixed doubles tournament has become one of the must-watch events of the early days at Milano Cortina 2026. The round-robin format ensures that every match carries significant implications for medal positioning, and the remaining games promise to deliver more dramatic moments as teams battle for Olympic glory. Team USA's quest to claim gold continues with their critical matches on Friday, while all eyes will be on whether Italy can recover from their stunning defeat and reclaim their dominant form.