Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin Make U.S. Curling History at 2026 Winter Olympics

The first Americans to qualify for the curling playoff round on the marquee stage

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, a mixed doubles curling pair from the U.S., made history at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina by becoming the first Americans to qualify for the curling finals. The two, who have been friends since college, teamed up in 2022 and quickly rose to the top, winning the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships. Despite fans' speculation, Thiesse and Dropkin maintain a strictly professional relationship, as Thiesse is married to Sam Thiesse and Dropkin is engaged to Gabby Tachis.

Why it matters

Thiesse and Dropkin's achievement marks a significant milestone for U.S. curling, as they are the first Americans to reach the Olympic curling finals. Their success highlights the growing popularity and competitiveness of the sport in the United States, which has traditionally been dominated by countries like Canada and Sweden.

The details

Thiesse, a 31-year-old curler, has been a dominant force in the sport, playing in six national junior championships and winning four of them. She was also an alternate on the 2018 Winter Olympic team. Dropkin, 30, has been a longtime admirer of Thiesse's skills and the two teamed up as mixed doubles partners in 2022. Their partnership quickly paid off, as they won the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships, qualifying them for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

  • Thiesse and Dropkin teamed up as mixed doubles partners in 2022.
  • They won the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships.
  • Thiesse and Dropkin competed in the round-robin at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, qualifying for the semifinals.
  • In the semifinal round, the U.S. team faced the reigning World and Olympic champions, Italy, and defeated them 9-8, advancing to the Olympic finals.

The players

Cory Thiesse

A 31-year-old American curler who has been a dominant force in the sport, playing in six national junior championships and winning four of them. She was also an alternate on the 2018 Winter Olympic team.

Korey Dropkin

A 30-year-old American curler who has been a longtime admirer of Thiesse's skills and teamed up with her as mixed doubles partners in 2022.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The funny thing is that for years and years, her mom, Linda, had been sort of a birdie in my ear. Saying, you know, you and my Cory would make really good teammates together.”

— Korey Dropkin (profootballnetwork.com)

“I think we just started, you know, above a lot of other teams. It just kind of came easy to us.”

— Cory Thiesse (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

Thiesse and Dropkin will compete in the Olympic finals, where they will face off against the world's top curling teams for the gold medal.

The takeaway

Thiesse and Dropkin's historic achievement at the 2026 Winter Olympics showcases the growing strength of American curling and the potential for the sport to gain more mainstream popularity in the United States.