Canada's Curling Teams Face Setbacks in Olympic Competition
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, delivered a day of unexpected drama for Canadian curling, as both the women's and men's teams suffered defeats in a series of closely contested matches. Team Homan, the reigning two-time world champions, experienced a rare two-loss day, while Team Jacobs also fell to their opponents, marking a challenging period for Canada's curling hopes.
Controversial Call Mars Team Homan's Performance
In a pivotal moment during their match against Switzerland, Rachel Homan faced a controversial officiating decision that significantly impacted the game's outcome. Officials ruled that Homan touched her first rock after releasing it, leading to its removal from play. Homan expressed frustration, stating to CBC's Bryan Mudryk, "They said I touched the stone after I let it go, which is so far from the truth, it's crazy. It's just making something up." She questioned whether the decision was influenced by the team's Canadian identity, adding, "Is it because we have the maple leaf on our back? I'm not sure."
This incident rattled the team, contributing to an 8-7 extra-end loss to Silvana Tirinzoni of Switzerland. Earlier in the day, Team Homan had also fallen 7-6 to Great Britain's Sophie Jackson, marking their third consecutive defeat in Olympic play.
Strategic Challenges and Missed Opportunities
Despite holding an early 4-0 lead against Switzerland, Team Homan allowed a four-ender in the seventh end, which turned the game's momentum. A missed takeout by Homan proved decisive in that critical moment. Reflecting on the performance, Homan noted, "We had a great game. We fought tough—we tried to stay together. We had a bad end." She remained optimistic about their prospects, saying, "We play like that, and we'll be in the mix in the end."
However, the three straight losses highlight uncharacteristic struggles for a team that has dominated women's curling for over two years. With teammates Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes, Homan's squad now faces pressure to rebound in upcoming matches to secure a playoff spot.
Team Jacobs Adds to Canada's Olympic Woes
On the men's side, Team Jacobs contributed to Canada's winless day with a 9-5 loss to Switzerland's Yannick Schwaller. This defeat, combined with the women's losses, created a disappointing 0-fer outcome for Canadian curling in Cortina. The men's team, like their female counterparts, must now regroup and focus on future games to keep their medal hopes alive.
The day's events underscore the intense competition at the Olympic level, where even dominant teams can face unexpected challenges. As the tournament progresses, both Canadian teams will need to address tactical issues and maintain composure under pressure to achieve their goal of Olympic gold.
