As the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics approach, Canada's Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman prepare for mixed doubles curling alongside the men's and women's teams led by Brad Jacobs and Rachel Homan. South Korea's Kim Seon-yeong and Jeong Yeong-seok will open their campaign against Sweden on Wednesday at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. These athletes bring extensive experience as curling action begins before the official opening ceremony.
The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics mark a significant moment for curling, with mixed doubles round-robin play starting early. South Korea's team, consisting of veteran Kim Seon-yeong and debutant Jeong Yeong-seok, will face the Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wrana at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Kim, competing in her third Olympics, earned silver with the women's team in 2018 PyeongChang and participated in Beijing 2022. This is the first Korean mixed doubles qualification since the event's Olympic debut, following a playoff win in Canada last December.
Canada fields a strong contingent across disciplines. In mixed doubles, husband-and-wife duo Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman open against Czechia on Wednesday. Gallant, a five-time Brier champion, won bronze in Beijing 2022 and will also throw second stones for the men's team skipped by Brad Jacobs, starting February 11 against Germany. Peterman debuted in 2022 with Jennifer Jones, who led Canada to women's gold in 2014 Sochi.
The Canadian women's team, skipped by Rachel Homan from Beaumont, Alta., begins February 12 against Denmark. Homan, seeking her first Olympic medal after 2018 and 2022 appearances, leads a top-ranked squad that has won three Grand Slams this season. Her teammates include Tracy Fleury (third, Olympic debut), Emma Miskew (second, three-time world champion) and Sarah Wilkes (lead).
Jacobs, the 2014 Sochi gold medalist, returns after winning the Olympic Trials final against Matt Dunstone. His rink features Marc Kennedy (2010 Vancouver gold) and Ben Hebert (2010 gold, two-time world champion). Gallant is the first Canadian curler to compete in two disciplines at one Games.
The 10-team mixed doubles field includes defending champions Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, whom Korea faces Thursday, and Norway's Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten (2018 bronze, 2022 silver). After nine round-robin games, the top four advance to semifinals on Monday, with medal matches Tuesday.
