Brad Jacobs and his veteran Canadian men's curling team are spending time at home before heading to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The squad, fresh off wins at the 2025 Brier and Canadian Curling Trials, aims to compete in Cortina d'Ampezzo starting February 11. Jacobs expressed enjoyment in the calm before the intense round-robin schedule.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will feature men's curling at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, a venue built in 1956. Canada's team, representing the Glencoe Club in Calgary, includes skip Brad Jacobs, a 40-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; third Marc Kennedy from St. Albert, Alberta; second Brett Gallant; lead Ben Hebert from Chestermere, Alberta; alternate Tyler Tardi; and coach Paul Webster.
Jacobs, speaking during a virtual media meeting on Monday, highlighted his current routine. “I’m really enjoying being at home right now,” he said. He noted the excitement from family, friends, and community members at the curling club, gym, and elsewhere. “You know who’s really excited for this Olympics is all of the people around me — they’re really excited,” Jacobs added. While acknowledging his own anticipation, he focused on savoring the pre-departure period, expecting heightened excitement in February.
The team recently practiced and planned in Edmonton. This week, members are with families in their hometowns before departing for Italy on February 3. Gallant will arrive earlier to compete in mixed doubles with Jocelyn Peterman, the first curling event of the Games. The group plans to base in Brunico for pre-Olympics preparation, with Curling Canada arranging ice time and accommodations. “We’re going to be on the ice for a couple hours a day,” Webster said, praising the setup by ice experts Mark Shurek and Dave Murdoch.
Canada's round-robin begins Wednesday, February 11, at 1:05 p.m. ET against Germany’s Marc Muskatewitz, followed by matches against the United States, Sweden, Switzerland, China, Czechia, Great Britain, Italy, and Norway over nine games in 11 days. Semifinals are February 19, with medal games February 20 and 21. The Olympic Village offers portable housing on an old airstrip 50 minutes from town, described by Webster as a “glamping experience.” Teams have brought comforts like lightweight chairs from Helinox Canada and blankets from Heartprint Threads. Gallant looks forward to scouting the facilities early to aid the team.
Webster emphasized the fluid preparation process developed over two years. “The way we practise individually and then the way we practise when we come together has become so fluid,” he said. The team hopes prior scouting via Gallant provides an edge on ice conditions.
