In a gripping start to the mixed doubles curling competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant displayed impressive skill. They faced off against Czechia’s Julie Zelingrova and Vít Chabicovsky in their opening match. Despite a few unexpected hiccups, the Canadian duo managed to dominate their opponents, winning decisively.
Technical Difficulties and a Strong Start
The competition opened with an unexpected power outage that delayed the first end. Following a brief five-minute interruption, the event resumed at a venue steeped in Olympic history, originally built in 1955.
In the match against Czechia, an incident involving a bug provided an unusual distraction. Jocelyn Peterman accidentally stepped on the insect, causing a minor cleanup on the ice. She humorously remarked about the mishap, calling it a “massacre.”
Despite these setbacks, Canada quickly took control of the game. They managed to score one point in the first end, but it was the second end that turned the match in their favor. Czechia’s Chabicovsky struggled, allowing Canada to capitalize significantly.
Canada’s Commanding Performance
In a pivotal moment, Zelingrova faced a challenging situation with four of Canada’s stones positioned near the target. Her final shot failed, resulting in a steal of four points for Canada, bringing their lead to 5-0. Canada continued to build on that momentum, eventually culminating in a 10-5 victory.
- Key Moments:
- First end: Canada scored 1 point.
- Second end: Czechia’s missed shots led to a 4-point steal by Canada.
- Sixth end: Peterman executed a crucial tap back, scoring 3 points.
- Final score: Canada 10, Czechia 5.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, Canada prepares to face Italy’s Stefania Costantini and Amos Mosaner, the defending gold medalists. Peterman expressed excitement about their performance, stating, “We’ve been preparing for this for a long time.”
Communication played a vital role in their success. Throughout the match, Peterman and Gallant consistently exchanged tips regarding shot weight and positioning, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in mixed doubles curling.
Other Matches of Note
In another game, Switzerland faced a scare against Estonia. Despite building a comfortable lead, they allowed Kaldvee and Lill to tie the game at 7-7, forcing an extra end. Switzerland eventually pulled out a narrow win, but it served as a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted in the Olympics.
The mixed doubles competition will continue, with Canada set to play again shortly. Curling fans can anticipate more thrilling matchups as the teams vie for Olympic glory.
