CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy - Britain, Sweden, Canada and Switzerland secured opening victories as mixed doubles curling competition got underway on Wednesday, two days ahead of the official opening of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Lights in the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, originally built for the 1956 Winter Olympics, suddenly went out just 10 minutes after the competition began, plunging the venue into darkness. After a 90-second interruption, the lights came back, drawing warm applause from athletes and spectators.
Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat displayed steady execution and balanced shot-making to defeat Beijing 2022 silver medalists Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten of Norway 8-6.
Sweden's sibling duo Rasmus and Isabella Wranaa, the 2024 world champions, rallied from early deficits of 0-1 and 2-3 to overwhelm South Koreans Kim Seon-yeong and Jeong Yeong-seok 10-3. It marked Kim's third appearance at the Winter Olympic Games.
Canadians Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant posted a 10-5 win over Julie Zelingrova and Vit Chabicovsky of the Czech Republic, while Switzerland couple Briar Schwaller-Huerlimann and Yannick Schwaller edged Estonia's Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill 9-7.
Host nation Italy, led by reigning Olympic champions Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, will open their campaign against South Korea on Thursday.
The mixed doubles final is scheduled for Feb 10, followed by the men's tournament from Feb 11-21 and the women's competition on Feb 12-22.
