The women’s curling tournament at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is generating excitement and intensity. With notable performances and unexpected outcomes, the competition is shaping up as teams strive for playoff positions. As the round-robin phase nears its midpoint, here’s a breakdown of how the ten competing teams are faring.
Top Performers in Women’s Curling
Sweden Leading the Charge
Sweden dominates the leaderboard with an impressive 4-0 record. The team’s skip, Anna Hasselborg, is a standout, boasting an 83.6% performance rate, the highest among her peers. As the lone undefeated team, they still have critical matches against Canada and Switzerland ahead that could determine their playoff fate.
Switzerland and USA Close Behind
- Switzerland (3-1): Despite a shaky start against Canada, where they fell behind 4-0, the four-time world champions secured a comeback victory. Alina Pätz’s performance was below par in their only loss against Japan, but they remain strong contenders for the playoffs.
- USA (3-1): Following a silver medal in mixed doubles, Team USA is making waves. Tabitha Peterson’s rink recorded an 84.1% success rate, second only to China’s team, with a crucial win over Canada bolstering their playoff hopes.
China’s Strong Showings
China stands out with a current record of 2-1, and its team has achieved an outstanding 84.8% performance rate. Lead Jiayi Jiang has excelled, achieving 99% in their first match and maintaining impressive scores in subsequent games. Their positioning indicates a strong potential for playoff contention.
Middle of the Pack
Denmark and Korea
- Denmark (2-2): After a tough opening match against Canada, they bounced back with decisive victories over Japan and Korea. Their resilience demonstrates their ability to compete with top-tier teams.
- Korea (2-2): Despite high expectations based on world rankings, their results have been mixed. With wins against Italy and Great Britain but losses to USA and Denmark, their journey continues as they aim for playoff viability.
Teams Struggling for Success
Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and Italy
- Great Britain (1-2): The defending champions face challenges with a new roster. Their lone victory against Canada shows promise, but advancing to playoffs seems doubtful.
- Canada (1-3): Historically strong, Canada has encountered difficulties, notably with back-to-back losses to the United States and Great Britain. To remain in contention, they must achieve consecutive wins.
- Japan (1-3): Struggling with consistency, Japan’s prior successes have not translated into victories in Cortina. Their single win against Switzerland stands in stark contrast to multiple losses.
- Italy (0-4): The host team has experienced a disappointing tournament, with significant losses in every match. Stefania Constantini’s rink will need a remarkable turnaround to salvage their Olympic journey.
As the tournament progresses, each team’s performance in the women’s curling event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be closely watched. The excitement builds as playoffs approach, with every match crucial for teams vying for Olympic glory.
