US Women's Curling Team Beats Canada for First Time at Olympics

The American women's curling team pulls off a surprise 9-8 victory over the world's top-ranked Canadian squad.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The U.S. women's curling team made history on Friday by defeating the Canadian team, led by skip Rachel Homan, for the first time ever at the Olympic Games. The 9-8 nail-biter was a surprise result, as Canada's team has long been considered the best in the world. The American squad, which includes several players with jobs and young children outside of curling, capitalized on some uncharacteristic mistakes by the Canadian team to secure the milestone victory.

Why it matters

The U.S. women's curling team's victory over the dominant Canadian squad marks a significant milestone, as the Americans had previously lost every Olympic matchup between the two countries since women's curling was introduced in 1998. This result demonstrates the growing competitiveness of the U.S. team and could foreshadow a shift in the balance of power in international women's curling.

The details

In Friday's match, the U.S. team was able to capitalize on a few weak shots by the Canadian squad led by skip Rachel Homan. After the win, the American players celebrated by walking together down the ice and back to their coaches, raising their fists in triumph. The U.S. team, which includes several players with jobs and young children outside of curling, has been described as approachable and ambitious, melding their personal lives with their Olympic aspirations.

  • The U.S. women's curling team defeated Canada 9-8 on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Taylor Anderson-Heide

A Minneapolis native on the U.S. women's curling team.

Tara Peterson

A member of the U.S. women's curling team from Shoreview, Minnesota, who is also a dentist.

Tabitha Peterson

The skip of the U.S. women's curling team and Tara's older sister, who is also a pharmacist.

Cory Thiesse

A member of the U.S. women's curling team who has already won a silver medal in the mixed doubles event and works as a lab technician.

Aileen Geving

An alternate on the U.S. women's curling team from Minnesota who had a daughter following the 2018 Games.

Rachel Homan

The skip of the Canadian women's curling team, which has long been considered the best in the world.

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What they’re saying

“If that's true, I think we just played a really good game. They're No. 1 in the world.”

— Taylor Anderson-Heide (WRAL)

“It just always feels really good to beat (Canada skip) Rachel Homan. So any team to beat them, that's pretty impressive.”

— Tara Peterson (WRAL)

“Apparently, we've never beat them in the Olympics before. That makes it just extra special.”

— Tara Peterson (WRAL)

What’s next

The U.S. women's curling team has several matches left in the round-robin before the semifinals next Friday.

The takeaway

The U.S. women's curling team's historic victory over the dominant Canadian squad demonstrates the growing competitiveness of the American team and could signal a shift in the balance of power in international women's curling.