Great Britain Hands Canada First Mixed Doubles Curling Defeat at Winter Olympics 2026

Great Britain's curling duo of Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds delivered a statement performance on Saturday morning, defeating Canada's Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman 7-5 in mixed doubles action at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The victory improved Great Britain's record to a perfect 6-0, while Canada suffered their first loss of the tournament to fall to 3-2. The British pair dominated the early ends, racing out to a commanding 7-2 lead after five ends with precise shot-making and strategic positioning. Mouat and Dodds executed their game plan flawlessly, controlling the house and forcing Canada into difficult situations that resulted in surrendered points. The five-point cushion appeared insurmountable as Great Britain looked poised for a comfortable victory. However, Canada mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the seventh end when a rare miss from Dodds proved costly. The British skip was heavy with a draw attempt, allowing Gallant and Peterman to steal a pair and cut the deficit to 7-4. The Canadian crowd at the venue erupted with hope as their team showed signs of life heading into the final ends. The eighth end provided the drama, but ultimately Canada couldn't complete the comeback. Gallant flashed a critical stone that would have given Canada a chance to steal multiple points, and the miss effectively sealed Great Britain's victory. Despite the late pressure, Mouat and Dodds remained composed and closed out the 7-5 win with veteran poise. For Great Britain, the undefeated start positions them as one of the favorites for the mixed doubles gold medal. Mouat and Dodds have been in exceptional form throughout the round-robin stage, combining tactical acumen with excellent execution under pressure. Their ability to build early leads and manage games has been a hallmark of their tournament run. Canada entered the Olympics as contenders after strong performances on the international circuit, but the loss to Great Britain represents a setback in their medal pursuit. Gallant and Peterman will need to regroup quickly as the round-robin stage continues and positioning for the playoff brackets becomes crucial. The mixed doubles competition at Milano Cortina 2026 continues through the weekend, with medal matches scheduled to determine Olympic champions.