U.S. Women's Curling Team Stuns Top-Ranked Canada

American squad pulls off massive upset at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a shocking upset at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the U.S. women's curling team defeated the top-ranked Canadian squad 9-8 in a dramatic final-stone victory. The Americans, who had previously lost all nine of their matchups against Canada, rallied from behind with a four-point sixth end to pull off the stunning win.

Why it matters

Curling is one of the marquee events at the Winter Games, and the U.S. women's team had never before beaten the dominant Canadian squad, who are the reigning world champions. This victory marks a major milestone for the American team and could provide a boost of momentum as they continue their quest for the country's first-ever Olympic medal in women's curling.

The details

With the score tied 8-8 in the final end, the Canadians attempted to block the Americans from scoring two points, but ended up bumping their own stone out of position. This opened the door for U.S. captain Tabitha Peterson to deliver the game-winning shot, giving her team the 9-8 victory. The Americans' unlikely triumph included a dominant four-point sixth end that turned the tide of the match.

  • The match took place on Friday, February 13, 2026 during the round-robin portion of the women's curling tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
  • The U.S. women's curling team next plays on Sunday, facing China in continued round-robin play.

The players

Tabitha Peterson

Captain of the U.S. women's curling team who delivered the game-winning shot in the upset victory over Canada.

Cory Thiesse

Member of the U.S. women's curling team that pulled off the surprise win over the top-ranked Canadians.

Taylor Anderson-Heide

Member of the U.S. women's curling team that pulled off the surprise win over the top-ranked Canadians.

Tara Peterson

Member of the U.S. women's curling team that pulled off the surprise win over the top-ranked Canadians.

Canada

The top-ranked women's curling team in the world, who suffered a shocking upset loss to the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's not quite another Miracle on Ice, but there was a big upset Friday at the Winter Games in Milan, as the US women's curling team knocked off Canada for the first time at the Olympics.”

— Dan Martin, Author (nypost.com)

What’s next

The U.S. women's curling team will look to build on their stunning upset victory over Canada when they face China in continued round-robin play on Sunday.

The takeaway

This victory over the dominant Canadian squad marks a major breakthrough for the U.S. women's curling team, who have never before beaten their North American rivals at the Olympics. The Americans' ability to rally from behind and deliver in the clutch could provide a significant boost of confidence as they pursue the country's first-ever Olympic medal in women's curling.