Canada's Curling Teams Secure Semifinal Spots at 2026 Winter Olympics
Canadian curling showcased both triumph and challenge on Thursday at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, as two star-studded teams advanced to the semifinals with contrasting paths.
Rachel Homan's Dramatic Playoff Clinch
Skip Rachel Homan, alongside vice Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew, and lead Sarah Wilkes, secured a crucial playoff berth with a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Korea's Gim Eun-ji. This win marked their fifth consecutive triumph in what was essentially an elimination game between two teams entering with 5-3 records.
The victory was highlighted by a decisive four-ender in the sixth end, propelling Homan's rink from the Ottawa Curling Club to a 6-3 finish and fourth place in the standings. They now face Sweden, who finished at 7-2, in Friday's semifinals scheduled for 8:05 a.m. ET.
"That's one way to get to a semi," Homan told CBC's Bryan Mudryk after the game. "A must-win situation pretty much all week. We fought hard for everything. Obviously a slow start, but we just kept our belief. We were playing really good. We were just on the wrong side of the inch. We just tried to figure out how to get on the other side and just kept clawing and kept sticking together. Just so proud of my team this week in giving Canada a chance to get in that semi. And we'll give it all we have tomorrow."
Brad Jacobs' Strategic Setback
On the men's side, skip Brad Jacobs and his crew from Calgary's Glencoe Club experienced only their second loss of the round robin, falling 8-6 to Norway's Magnus Ramsfjell. This defeat wrapped up their preliminary round with a 7-2 record, securing second place behind undefeated Switzerland at 9-0.
Despite the loss, Jacobs' team remains in strong contention, as the match was not a must-win scenario. The urgency was notably absent, allowing the squad to conserve energy for the upcoming critical semifinal draw later Thursday against the same Norwegian team they just faced.
Key Takeaways from Canada's Curling Day
- Homan's Resilience Under Pressure: The defending two-time world champions have faced criticism for shrinking in the Olympic spotlight, but their five-game winning streak demonstrates a return to form. With just two potential games remaining, including a hoped-for gold-medal match, Homan's team is poised to showcase the dominance that has defined them over the past two-plus seasons.
- Timing of Jacobs' Loss: The morning defeat to Norway may prove strategically beneficial, as it occurred in a non-essential game, allowing the team to refocus without the pressure of elimination. This sets the stage for a high-stakes semifinal where they must avenge the loss to advance.
- National Momentum: Both Canadian teams enter the semifinals with momentum—Homan on a winning streak and Jacobs with a strong overall record. Their performances highlight Canada's depth in curling and set the stage for potential medal contention in the coming days.
The day's events underscore the intense competition at the Olympic level, where every end and every decision can alter the course of a team's journey. As the semifinals approach, all eyes will be on these Canadian squads to see if they can translate their round-robin successes into podium finishes.
