At the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, Canada’s Brad Jacobs faced a setback against Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller, losing 9-5. This match, held on a Saturday, marked Canada’s first round-robin defeat. The Calgary-based team included notable players Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert. With this victory, Switzerland advanced to a perfect 4-0 record while Canada dropped to 3-1.
Match Highlights
Switzerland started strong, utilizing the hammer to score an early deuce. They continued to dominate by scoring pairs in alternating ends up to the ninth. Benoit Schwarz-van Berkel led the Swiss attack with an impressive shooting accuracy of 97 percent.
Context of the Game
This match came after World Curling issued a verbal warning to team officials regarding misconduct, which included incidents of improper behavior. Moreover, accusations arose from both teams about “double-touching” curling stones, further intensifying the rivalry on the ice.
Women’s Curling Matchup
Earlier that day, Rachel Homan, representing Canada in women’s curling, also encountered a defeat against Great Britain’s Sophie Jackson, losing 7-6. Canada’s women’s team, which includes Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes, now holds a record of 1-2 following this match.
Game Progression
- Canada initially led 3-1.
- Great Britain stole points in the fourth end due to a missed shot from Homan.
- The game turned when Jackson capitalized in the eighth end, leading to Canada’s defeat.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, Homan must recover as she prepares to face the second-ranked Silvana Tirinzoni from Switzerland. Historically, Homan has struggled in previous Olympic appearances, searching for her first playoff qualification.
Conclusion
As the round-robin progresses, both Canadian teams aim to regroup and secure their places for the playoffs. The dynamics of the matches indicate critical challenges ahead as they strive to thrive at Milano Cortina 2026.
