Canada’s Curling Teams Find Their Form at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics
After a rocky start, Canada’s curling teams are beginning to find their stride at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Rachel Homan’s women’s team secured a crucial 10-5 victory over China’s Rui Wang on Monday, snapping a three-game losing streak and improving their record to 2-3 in round-robin play.
Homan’s Team Turns the Tide
The Canadian women’s team, comprised of Rachel Homan, Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes, demonstrated a significant shift in momentum against China. A four-point surge in the fourth end, followed by three more points in the sixth, proved decisive. This win comes after a period of uncertainty following umpire-related concerns during their previous match against Switzerland.
The recent controversy surrounding umpire calls, specifically a rock being pulled in a loss to Switzerland due to a double-touching call, prompted World Curling to revisit its umpire setup. Umpires will now only monitor the delivery area when requested by the opposing team.
Jacobs Continues Dominance
On the men’s side, Brad Jacobs continued his impressive performance, leading his team to an 8-2 win over Czechia’s Lukas Klima. This victory elevates the Canadian men’s team to a 5-1 record, solidifying their position in the standings. Jacobs’ team, featuring Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert, showcased precision and strategy, highlighted by a remarkable angle-raise in the sixth end.
The team also provided an opportunity for alternate Tyler Tardi to make his Olympic debut in the seventh end, demonstrating depth and confidence within the squad. Tardi delivered two consecutive draws to the four-foot ring.
Looking Ahead: Remaining Round-Robin Schedule
Homan and her team face Japan’s Sayaka Yoshimura (1-4) in their next match. Round-robin play continues through Thursday, with the medal games scheduled for the weekend. Jacobs will compete against Bruce Mouat of Great Britain, currently ranked as a top contender.
FAQ
Q: What caused the controversy in the women’s curling match against Switzerland?
A: An umpire called Rachel Homan for double-touching the stone, resulting in a rock being pulled. This led to discussions about the umpire setup and ultimately a change in procedure.
Q: What is the current record for Canada’s men’s curling team?
A: The Canadian men’s team, led by Brad Jacobs, is currently 5-1.
Q: What changes were made to the umpire setup after the incident in the women’s match?
A: World Curling decided that umpires will now only monitor the delivery area when requested by the opposing team.
Q: Where are the 2026 Winter Olympics being held?
A: The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Milano Cortina, Italy.
Did you recognize? Brad Jacobs’ team opened their match against Czechia with four consecutive singles.
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