Canadian Curlers Shift Focus with Pivotal Olympic Victories
Following a pair of significant wins at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Team Canada's curlers have firmly turned their attention away from recent controversy and toward medal-round aspirations.
Controversy Questions Shut Down After Swedish Match
When Swedish journalists attempted to revisit the double-touch incident involving Canadian skip Rachel Homan during her team's 8-6 victory over tournament-leading Sweden, a Curling Canada official promptly shut down further questions. The controversy, which had sent shockwaves through the Olympic bonspiel over the weekend, involved an alleged double touch that wasn't called by any official during play.
"I'm just waiting for the nuclear questions and they didn't come," joked third Marc Kennedy, whose emotional outburst at a Swedish opponent who accused him of cheating had made curling one of the most talked-about stories of these Games.
Men's Team Secures Medal Round Berth with Statement Win
Team Brad Jacobs, fresh off a commanding 9-5 victory over top-ranked Great Britain, clinched their place in the medal round while expressing relief at not being asked about the weekend's controversy. The Canadian men's team delivered a masterful performance against the world's number one squad, demonstrating why nothing turns the page like decisive victories.
Jacobs and his teammates started strong, winning the opening draw and scoring two points in the first end. In the second end, Jacobs executed a perfect double takeout to limit Great Britain to just one point. The match remained tightly contested through the first half, with Canada holding a narrow 4-3 lead at the break.
Strategic Comeback Seals Victory
After Great Britain's Bruce Mouat scored two points in the sixth end to take the lead, Team Jacobs responded with three points in the seventh to regain control. The British team appeared increasingly unsettled, surrendering a steal in the eighth end and another in the ninth, ultimately conceding the match.
"It's sure nice to now be at six wins," Jacobs said after the victory. "Those guys have had our number for a decade, my entire career. So to get that monkey off our back in the biggest event we have all ever played in is a big deal for us."
Women's Team Regains Momentum
Meanwhile, Rachel Homan's rink revitalized their playoff prospects with Tuesday's win over Team Anna Hasselborg. The victory moved the Canadian women into fourth place with just two games remaining in the preliminary round, positioning them well for medal-round qualification.
The British team, despite being the dominant force in men's curling since their silver-medal performance in 2022 with a 57-12 season record, has underperformed in Cortina. Losses to Switzerland, Italy, and a surprising Norwegian team have dropped them to fifth place with a 4-4 record, jeopardizing their medal-round chances as only the top four teams advance.
"There's been upsets all over the place," Jacobs noted, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of Olympic competition. With controversy now in the rearview mirror, both Canadian curling teams have demonstrated their resilience and championship potential at the world's most prestigious winter sports event.
