Canadian Curling Duo Delivers Dominant Performance at Cortina Olympics
Canadian mixed doubles curling stars Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant delivered a masterclass performance on Thursday at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The dynamic duo secured not just one, but two significant victories against top-tier competition, firmly establishing themselves as serious gold medal contenders in the process.
Double Victory Over Olympic Powerhouses
The Canadian pair began their remarkable day with a convincing 6-2 triumph over Norway's Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten. The Norwegian team brought impressive credentials to the ice, having earned bronze at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. However, Peterman and Gallant controlled the match from start to finish, demonstrating exceptional strategy and execution.
Their evening performance proved even more impressive as they dismantled the defending Olympic champions from Italy. Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, who had shocked the curling world with their perfect 11-0 run to gold in Beijing, fell 7-2 to the determined Canadians. This marked the Italian duo's first-ever loss on the world stage, ending their remarkable 22-game winning streak that included another perfect 11-0 performance at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Three Key Factors Behind Canada's Success
Flexing Against Tournament Favorites
The victory over Italy's previously unbeaten champions sent shockwaves through the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Not only did it represent a setback for the home team, but it also demonstrated Canada's ability to perform under pressure against the world's best. Peterman and Gallant approached both matches with confidence and precision, refusing to be intimidated by their opponents' impressive resumes. The double victory erased any doubts about Canada's status as legitimate gold medal contenders in the highly competitive mixed doubles field.
Applying Early Pressure and Momentum
Peterman and Gallant have demonstrated a remarkable ability to start games strong throughout the Olympic tournament. Their 3-0 record, shared with Great Britain at the top of the 10-team standings, reflects their consistent performance. Against Italy, the Canadians used their last rock advantage to score an astonishing five points in the opening end, immediately putting the defending champions on their heels.
"We came out of the gates really strong," Gallant told CBC's Bryan Mudryk after the match. "We made our first five shots of the game really well and got a couple of breaks from Italian misses. Joce threw that last rock in the perfect spot to get that five, and we just kind of rode that momentum the rest of the game."
This strategy of establishing early leads has proven particularly effective in mixed doubles curling, where games can feature dramatic momentum swings. By securing substantial advantages in the opening ends, the Canadian pair has been able to play more defensively and control the tempo of their matches.
Peterman's Clutch Performance with Last Rock
Jocelyn Peterman has emerged as the steadying force for the Canadian team, delivering exceptional performances with the crucial last rock of each end. The skip of the 2012 Canadian junior women's curling champions has demonstrated remarkable precision and composure under pressure, consistently placing her final stones in optimal positions.
Her ability to execute critical shots has been particularly evident in Canada's strong starts, where she has capitalized on opponent mistakes to build early leads. This clutch performance has provided Gallant with confidence in their strategy and allowed the team to maintain control throughout their matches.
Building Toward Olympic Glory
Following their impressive victories, both Peterman and Gallant expressed satisfaction with their performance while maintaining focus on the challenges ahead. "We've put a lot of work in this year," Peterman explained. "We have a strong process in place of how we want to behave on the ice and how we want to play the game, and we're just sticking to that. We're having fun and really sticking to what works for us when we're playing well."
The Canadian duo's perfect 3-0 start positions them favorably in the round-robin tournament, with crucial matches still to come. Their ability to defeat both recent Olympic medalists and the defending champions in a single day sends a clear message to the rest of the field: Canada's mixed doubles team has arrived in Cortina ready to compete for gold.
As the tournament progresses, Peterman and Gallant will look to build on their early success while maintaining the disciplined approach that has served them so well. Their combination of strategic execution, early-game aggression, and clutch performance under pressure makes them one of the most formidable teams in the competition and a serious threat for Olympic gold.
