The 2026 Winter Olympics curling competitions begin with mixed doubles on February 4 at the historic Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Italy. Canada's Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant open against the Czech Republic as favorites, facing a stacked field including defending champions from Italy. Experts highlight the event's volatility, with any team capable of medaling.
Mixed doubles curling, a discipline known for its unpredictability, launches the curling program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 4. The 10-team round-robin tournament runs through February 9 at the 70-year-old Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, with the top four advancing to semifinals, followed by bronze and gold medal matches on February 10.
Canada's representatives, married couple Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant from Chestermere, Alberta, enter as strong contenders after securing Olympic qualification by winning the 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials 8-7 over Rachel Homan and Brendan Bottcher. They begin pool play against the young Czech duo Julie Zelingrová and Vít Chabičovský, listed as -3.5 favorites with -700 moneyline odds via DraftKings. Gallant expressed confidence, stating, “We’re feeling prepared... we’ve been able to check all the boxes over the last nine months.” The pair, who won world silver in 2019 and national titles in 2016 and 2019, will also face tough opponents like Norway's Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten (bronze in 2018, silver in 2022), Italy's undefeated defending champions Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, the United States' 2023 world champions Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, and Great Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat.
Analysts emphasize the event's openness. The Curling News ranks Italy, Great Britain, and Estonia as top threats, noting Italy's perfect records in 2022 Olympics and 2025 worlds, while Estonia's Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill bring versatility from eight world championships. Norway's Skaslien welcomes the pressure: “To be able to be on top of the podium, that's like a dream come true.” Peterman and Gallant, competing in just two events this season with a win and a final, aim to end Canada's mixed doubles podium drought since 2018 gold. Gallant will double up by joining Brad Jacobs' men's team post-event. The format's quick pace promises shifting lines and dramatic ends, with experts predicting a medal for the team that peaks for one excellent week.