Tyler Tardi, a 27-year-old former Penticton Curling Club member, has been selected as an alternate for Canada's men's curling team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Calgary curler expressed excitement about the opportunity while reflecting on his journey from junior player to Olympic hopeful.
Tyler Tardi is ready for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, where he will serve as an alternate for Canada's men's curling team. The 27-year-old, born in Richmond, British Columbia, first gained international attention in 2016 by representing Canada at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Norway. A former resident of Peachland, Tardi trained at the Penticton Curling Club in the late 2010s as a junior, learning from local players. He credits the club as a major part of his success, saying, “They were so welcoming…the facility, the people, it was all just amazing.” He added, “It’s pretty amazing how a fairly small place can contribute so much to someone’s success.”
Now based in Calgary, Alberta, Tardi joined Team Kevin Koe as third ahead of the 2022-2023 season. Recently, he served as an alternate for Team Brad Jacobs at the 2025 World Men’s Curling Championship, where they won bronze. He also acted as alternate for Jacobs at the 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships. Jacobs, who skip the Olympic team, previously led Canada to gold at the 2014 Olympics in Russia.
The Olympic team includes Brad Jacobs (skip), Marc Kennedy (third, vice-skip), Brett Gallant (second), and Ben Hebert (lead), coached by Paul Webster. Competition begins February 11 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, about 400 kilometers northeast of Milan. If needed, Tardi will step in for any of the four starters.
Tardi is thrilled about the experience: “It’s potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, no guarantee you’ll ever be back, so as excited as I am that it’s almost here, I just hope it doesn’t go by in a flash.” He continued, “Can’t wait to soak it all in. Very honoured to be joining the guys, I owe them a lot for what they have given me the last two seasons and can’t wait to do everything I can to help them win some hardware.”
Mixed doubles curling, featuring Canada's Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, starts February 4, before the opening ceremony.
