USA edges Sweden 6-5 in women’s curling, men’s team upsets defending gold

Team USA delivered a curling masterclass today at Milano Cortina 2026, with both the women’s and men’s squads pulling off stunning victories. Skip Tabitha Peterson nailed a clutch final draw to lift the USA women past Sweden 6-5, while young gun Daniel Casper and his men’s team toppled defending gold medalists Sweden 8-5 in dramatic fashion on February 15.

Women’s Curling: Peterson’s Clutch Draw Steals Victory

Tabitha Peterson delivered the performance of a lifetime when her rink needed it most. Trailing going into the final end, the American skip executed a flawless draw that positioned USA stones perfectly to claim a single-point steal. The result gave Team USA an electrifying 6-5 victory over Sweden in round-robin action.

Peterson’s rink, featuring Taylor Anderson-Heide and Cory Thiesse, has proven they belong among curling elite. This victory caps a remarkable turnaround for American women’s curling, signaling serious medal contention at the Games.

Men’s Upset: Casper Dominates Defending Champs

Daniel Casper, just 24 years old, led one of the tournament’s biggest surprises when Team USA dismantled the defending Olympic champions from Sweden. The young skip delivered 14 takeouts throughout the match, showcasing composure beyond his years and precision that rattled Sweden’s veteran squad.

Casper’s lineup of Ben Richardson, Luc Violette, and Aidan Oldenburg executed flawlessly, turning up pressure in critical moments. Alternate Rich Ruohonen stood ready, but Casper’s crew never needed to call him in. The 8-5 final doesn’t capture how completely Team USA controlled the rematch.

Round Robin Drama: What’s Next for Team USA

Team	Women Result	Men Result
USA	6-5 Victory	8-5 Victory
Sweden	5 Points	5 Points
Event	Round Robin	Round Robin
Location	Milano Cortina 2026	Milano Cortina 2026

Both victories carry enormous momentum as Team USA advances deeper into Olympic competition. Peterson’s women proved they can close tight matches, while Casper’s men demonstrated they have the strategic depth to beat the world’s best teams. With medal rounds looming, American curling has never looked stronger.

“We know we can beat any of these teams, and we’re here to win.”

— Ben Richardson, USA Men’s Curling

Breaking Sweden’s Gold Medal Aura

Sweden’s defending status made this double-header defeat even more striking. The Scandinavian powerhouse arrived in Milano Cortina as clear favorites in both disciplines, but two straight losses to Team USA signals the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically. American curlers are no longer underdogs.

Casper’s age advantage means USA men’s curling has fuel for future Olympics, while Peterson’s experience gives her women’s squad a proven leader under pressure. The question now becomes whether USA can sustain this level through the medal rounds.

Can Team USA’s Curling Dominance Continue Through Medal Play

Four gold medals between women’s and men’s teams would cement American curling as a genuine force. Peterson and Casper have shown they thrive when stakes rise highest, but Canada, Norway, and other rivals remain formidable. USA curlers must sustain their precision shooting and psychological edge.

Round-robin victories feel electric, yet single-elimination matches demand perfection every stone, every end. The young American cohort, led by Casper’s fearless approach and Peterson’s championship composure, appears ready. The question: will USA curling convert today’s momentum into historic Olympic gold?

Sources

• Olympics.com – Official coverage of women’s and men’s curling round-robin action at Milano Cortina 2026
• NBC Olympics – Live updates and highlights from USA men’s curling upset victory over defending champions
• World Curling – Official federation reports on team roster details and match statistics