Canada's curlers delivered a spectacular performance on Tuesday at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, with both the men's and women's teams achieving crucial victories that have significant implications for their playoff aspirations.
Men's Team Secures Semifinal Berth with Statement Win
The Canadian men's curling team, skipped by Brad Jacobs, achieved a monumental 9-5 victory over pre-tournament favorite Great Britain, securing their place in the Olympic semifinals. This triumph not only guarantees Canada a spot in the final four but also delivers a psychological blow to their rivals.
"It's a big win—that's a big win," Jacobs told CBC's Bryan Mudryk immediately after the match. "To be at six wins now… that's huge. We knew that coming into that game and getting to six wins, historically at the Olympics in men's play, is a big number."
Statistical Dominance Against the World's Best
Canada's victory was built on superior execution, with the team out-curling the highly decorated Scottish side 88% to 82%. Jacobs led the charge with a remarkable 91% shooting percentage, while teammates Ben Hebert matched that performance with 91% accuracy. Brett Gallant contributed an 81% performance, and Marc Kennedy added a solid 85% to complete the team's dominant display.
"Those guys have had our number for a long time," Jacobs acknowledged. "We have a real hard time beating that team. And at the same time, handing the best team in the world a fourth loss is also a big deal."
Women's Team Builds Momentum with Critical Victory
On the women's side, Rachel Homan's rink kept their playoff hopes alive with an impressive 8-6 victory over previously unbeaten Sweden, skipped by Anna Hasselborg. This win represents a significant step forward for the Canadian women as they navigate the challenging Olympic competition.
"I think the last couple of games, things are really starting to come together for us," said Sarah Wilkes, Homan's lead. "We know our next two games are against really tough opponents, and we just have to keep doing what we're doing and focus on that—and the outcome will be what it will be."
Three Key Takeaways from Canada's Olympic Curling Day
1. Statement Game Against Top Competition
Canada's men entered the tournament believing they were the best team in the competition, while most observers favored Great Britain for gold. After Tuesday's decisive victory, Canada has clearly established themselves as the team to beat in the pursuit of Olympic glory.
2. Playoff Implications for Both Teams
The men's victory not only secured their playoff position but also pushed Great Britain—the defending world champions—to the brink of elimination. Meanwhile, the women's win keeps them in contention and demonstrates their ability to compete with the tournament's strongest teams.
3. Resilience and Team Execution
Both Canadian teams displayed remarkable resilience throughout their matches. Jacobs highlighted this quality, saying, "Just really proud of the guys for really being resilient that game. We had a few moments, especially in the middle of that game, that didn't go our way… But we stuck with it—we stayed patient."
The consistent execution across all positions, particularly in the men's game where each player outperformed their British counterpart, demonstrates the depth and quality of Canada's curling program.
As the Olympic curling competition continues, Canada's men have secured their place in the semifinals, while the women have positioned themselves for a strong push toward the playoffs. Both teams have shown they possess the skill, determination, and teamwork necessary to compete for medals at the highest level of international competition.
