USA Defeats Canada in Historic Women's Curling Upset

Americans notch first-ever Olympic win over rivals in 9-8 thriller

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a stunning upset on the ice, the U.S. women's curling team defeated Canada 9-8 at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, marking the first time in Olympic history that the American women have bested their rivals to the north. Led by skip Tabitha Peterson, Team USA snapped a 0-8 winless streak against the two-time reigning world champion Canadians.

Why it matters

This historic victory not only propels Team USA to a 2-1 record in round-robin play, but also signals a major shift in momentum as they take down the top-ranked Canadian squad. For years, the U.S. vs. Canada matchup in women's curling was dominated by Canadian supremacy, making this win a landmark moment for the American program.

The details

Tabitha Peterson secured the victory with a clutch draw for two points in the final end, capping off a close 9-8 thriller. Prior to this match, the American women had gone 0-8 against their northern rivals since curling returned to the Olympic program in 1998.

  • The historic win occurred on February 13, 2026 at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The players

Tabitha Peterson

The three-time Olympian and skip of the 2026 U.S. women's curling team.

Cory Thiesse

The U.S. curler who made history earlier this week by winning silver in Mixed Doubles.

Rachel Homan

The skip of the Canadian women's curling team, which had previously dominated the Americans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The U.S. women's curling team will look to build on this historic victory as they continue their quest for the country's first-ever Olympic medal in the sport.

The takeaway

This landmark win over the powerhouse Canadian squad marks a major breakthrough for the U.S. women's curling program, showcasing their ability to compete with and defeat the world's best on the Olympic stage.