In an exciting display of skill and determination, the Republic of Korea secured their first victory at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, defeating the United States 6-5 in a thrilling extra end during the ninth mixed doubles round-robin session. This victory marked a significant moment for the team, as every competing squad has now won at least one match in the tournament.
From the outset, the Republic of Korea took control, scoring one point in the first end followed by a stolen point in the second, giving them an early 2-0 advantage. The United States responded, with Cory Thiesse executing a double take-out to score one point in the third end. The teams then exchanged points for the following ends, but a miscalculation by Thiesse in the seventh allowed Korea to steal another point, extending their lead to 5-2.
However, Thiesse bounced back in the eighth end, making a critical raise take-out for three points, which leveled the match at 5-5 and forced an extra end. In that decisive moment, Korean player Kim Seonyeong made a remarkable draw to score the winning point, sealing a 6-5 victory.
After the match, Jeong Yeongseok expressed the importance of the win, stating, “Obviously that was big, but the most important thing is that we showed the world that the Korean mixed doubles team is capable of winning on the world stage.” He emphasized that this victory highlighted their readiness to compete at a high level.
Kim Seonyeong reflected on the pressure of her last stone, acknowledging the support of the crowd and the importance of team trust. “I didn’t really think about the crowd… I knew going into an extra end the last shot would be a draw and Yeongseok gave me all the information I needed,” she said.
In other matches of the session, Switzerland kept their hopes alive for a semi-final spot by defeating Czechia 10-3, celebrating a solid performance that saw them taking control early on. Yannick Schwaller shared their positive mindset, focusing on improvement with each game, while his partner Briar Schwaller highlighted the joy of competing with their toddler son, River, in attendance.
Yet, the day was not without its surprises as Estonia handed Canada their third consecutive loss, winning 8-6, while Italy narrowly defeated Norway 6-5. With Great Britain already clinching a semi-final berth, Italy, the United States, and Sweden are currently also in contention for spots, with Canada and Switzerland closely trailing behind.
The dynamic nature of mixed doubles curling at the Milano Cortina 2026 offers a captivating spectacle for fans, showcasing thrilling finishes and nail-biting moments. The competition continues to heat up as teams vie for glory on an international stage, promising more exhilarating matches ahead.