CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The United States women’s curling team achieved a historic first on Friday, defeating Canada 9-8 in round-robin play at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The victory marks the first time the American women have beaten their Canadian counterparts in Olympic competition.
“We’re quite thrilled!” said U.S. Skip Tabitha Peterson after the match, as reported by World Curling Media. “It was a good game; it was a good battle.”
Canada, led by skip Rachel Homan, opened the scoring in the second end with a draw for two points. The Americans responded with a single point in the third, and then leveled the score at 2-2 by stealing a point in the fourth. The teams traded points throughout the match, with the U.S. Building a 6-3 lead in the sixth end after Peterson drew for four points. Canada narrowed the gap to 6-5 in the seventh, and again to 7-5 in the eighth.
Homan rallied her team in the ninth, scoring three points to take an 8-7 lead. Yet, Peterson secured the historic win for the U.S. In the tenth end with a draw to the 8-foot ring for two points, finalizing the score at 9-8.
The U.S. Team, comprised of Tabitha Peterson, Taylor Anderson-Heide, Cory Thiesse, and alternate Aileen Geving, celebrated the milestone victory by raising fists in triumph as they walked off the ice, according to the Associated Press.
“Apparently, we’ve never beat them in the Olympics before. That makes it just extra special,” Peterson told the Associated Press.
Several members of the American team balance their athletic pursuits with professional careers. Tara Peterson is a dentist, Tabitha Peterson a pharmacist, and Cory Thiesse a lab technician. Tara Peterson gave birth to her son, Eddie, in September 2024, and Tabitha Peterson welcomed her daughter, Noelle, a few months later.
The U.S. Women’s team is currently 2-1 in the round-robin stage, having defeated Korea and suffered a loss to Sweden. They have several matches remaining before the semifinals next Friday.
Canada’s Rachel Homan acknowledged her team’s performance was below par, telling CBC Olympics, “Just not making the shots we normally make. I think the ice was fairly consistent. We just require to play better than that.” Canada’s record now stands at 1-1 at Milano Cortina 2026.
