Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse claimed silver medals for the United States in mixed doubles curling at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, marking the first such medal for an American pair. The duo, who partnered four years ago in Duluth, Minnesota, advanced through the tournament by finishing 6-3 in round-robin play and defeating Italy in the semifinals before falling to Sweden in the final.
Four years ago, Korey Dropkin invited Cory Thiesse to the Pickwick restaurant in Duluth, Minnesota, to propose they team up for mixed doubles curling. Thiesse agreed without hesitation, noting their long friendship and shared location made the transition smooth. "We're really good friends. We've known each other for a long time, so I think it just was a really easy transition for us to become teammates," Thiesse said.
Their contrasting personalities complemented each other on the ice: Dropkin brings energy and passion, while Thiesse provides calm confidence. "I think we're the perfect mix of personalities," Thiesse explained. "We talk about this, like, fire and ice." Nearly a year later, they won the 2023 world championships. At the Olympics, they secured the No. 3 seed with a 6-3 round-robin record, a historic achievement as no American mixed doubles team had reached the final four before. They then upset defending champions Italy in the semifinals to reach the gold medal game.
Sweden staged a comeback in the 10th end to win the final, but Dropkin and Thiesse earned silver—the first for any American mixed doubles team, the third U.S. curling medal overall, and the first for an American woman. "We had just an incredible week of curling," Thiesse said. "To be finishing on the podium is just incredible, and it's just a huge, huge thing for USA Curling."
This success comes 20 years after the U.S. men's team won bronze in 2006, inspiring both athletes in their youth. Thiesse recalled seeing skip John Shuster's medal at age 10 and finding it "the coolest thing." Now, they aim to motivate the next generation. "Hopefully, this inspires the next generation to get out there, pick up a broom, get on the ice and dream big," Dropkin said.
Dropkin envisions curling growing into a mainstream sport with more regular televised events and larger crowds. Before resuming training, the pair plans a celebratory return to Pickwick. "Pickwick, we're coming for you," Dropkin said. Thiesse added, "I'm really glad he asked me to be his teammate," with Dropkin replying, "I'm really glad she said yes."
