US Women’s Curling Beats Canada in Olympic First/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. women’s curling team defeated Canada 9-8 in a dramatic Olympic round-robin match. The victory marked the first time American women have beaten Canada at the Winter Games. The milestone win boosts Team USA’s confidence early in Milan Cortina competition.
US Women’s Curling Beats Canada Olympic First: Quick Looks
- Team USA edges Canada 9-8 in round-robin play.
- First Olympic victory over Canada in women’s curling.
- Canada has medaled in every Games since 1998.
- Tara Peterson, Tabitha Peterson lead experienced squad.
- Americans now 2-1 in preliminary standings.
- Win follows earlier victory over Korea, loss to Sweden.
Deep Look: US Women’s Curling Beats Canada in Olympic First
The U.S. women’s curling team delivered a historic performance at the Milan Cortina Olympics, stunning powerhouse Canada 9-8 in a nail-biting round-robin showdown that marked an Olympic first for the Americans.
After the final stone was delivered and the outcome confirmed, the U.S. players walked together down the ice, fists raised in celebration. Only afterward did they learn the magnitude of their achievement: American women had never before beaten Canada in Olympic competition.
“If that’s true,” said Taylor Anderson-Heide of Minneapolis, “I think we just played a really good game. They’re No. 1 in the world.”
Her teammate Tara Peterson added that beating Canadian skip Rachel Homan always feels special, especially given Canada’s longstanding dominance in the sport.
Ending a Longstanding Olympic Drought
Canada has been a perennial force in Olympic curling, earning a medal at every Winter Games since the sport returned to the Olympic program in 1998. Rachel Homan’s squad has been widely regarded as one of the strongest teams in the world.
Until Friday, U.S. women had not been able to break through on Olympic ice against their northern rivals. The American men accomplished the feat in 2018, defeating Canada in the round-robin and again in the semifinals en route to gold in Pyeongchang. But for the women, Canada had remained an Olympic hurdle.
That changed in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The Americans capitalized on a handful of uncharacteristic Canadian miscues and stayed composed under pressure in the final ends to secure the one-point victory.
“Apparently, we’ve never beat them in the Olympics before,” Tara Peterson said. “That makes it just extra special.”
A Team Balancing Life and Ambition
This year’s U.S. women’s team blends competitive drive with a relatable backstory.
The lineup includes skip Tabitha Peterson and her sister Tara Peterson, along with Cory Thiesse and Taylor Anderson-Heide. Aileen Geving serves as the alternate.
Beyond the ice, several team members juggle professional careers and motherhood. Tara Peterson works as a dentist, Tabitha Peterson is a pharmacist, and Thiesse is a laboratory technician. Three members of the team are mothers to young children.
Tara gave birth to her son in late 2024, and Tabitha welcomed a daughter shortly afterward. Geving also became a mother following the 2018 Games.
Their blend of family life, professional careers and elite competition reflects a modern generation of athletes determined to balance ambition with everyday responsibilities.
Strong Start in Milan Cortina
With the win over Canada, the Americans improved to 2-1 in round-robin play. They previously defeated Korea and fell to Sweden.
Several matches remain before next Friday’s semifinals, giving the U.S. team time to build on its momentum. But the victory over Canada — a psychological breakthrough as much as a standings boost — could prove pivotal.
In a tournament where margins are razor thin and experience matters, Team USA’s composure against the world’s top-ranked opponent signals that this squad is capable of more than just historic milestones.
For now, though, the Americans can savor a moment years in the making: an Olympic first that may reshape expectations for the remainder of the Games.
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