Canada's top curling teams are preparing for a pivotal mission at the upcoming Winter Games. The experienced squads of Brad Jacobs and Rachel Homan will carry the nation's hopes to the Cortina 2026 Olympics, aiming to end a notable gold medal drought for Canadian curling.
Veteran Teams Poised for Podium Push
The teams earned their Olympic berths in dramatic fashion at the Montana's Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax on November 29, 2025. Team Jacobs, featuring skip Brad Jacobs alongside Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert, secured the men's spot. The women's team, skipped by Rachel Homan with Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes, claimed their ticket to Italy. Both squads boast extensive international experience, which will be crucial on the Olympic stage.
The Quest to Reclaim Olympic Glory
The pressure is on for these athletes to return Canada to the top of the Olympic curling podium. The last time Canadian curlers stood atop the podium was at the Vancouver 2010 Games, when the late Kevin Martin's rink won gold for the men. Since then, despite strong performances, gold has remained elusive. The teams understand the weight of expectation from a nation that considers curling a cornerstone winter sport.
Preparation and Expectations for Cortina
The road to Cortina will involve intense training and competition schedules. Both the Jacobs and Homan rinks are expected to be among the medal favourites, given their proven track records in major events like the Brier, Scotties Tournament of Hearts, and World Championships. Their success in Halifax demonstrated their ability to perform under the high-pressure conditions of a trials format, a quality that will serve them well in the Olympic cauldron.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo approach, all eyes will be on these seasoned Canadian teams. Their collective experience, skill, and determination will be put to the ultimate test as they strive to bring Olympic curling gold back to Canada and cement their legacies in the sport's history.
