USA Curling places 4th at Milan Cortina Olympics before heading to Utah’s World Championships

Canada celebrating as USA exits the Curling Sheet. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

CORTINA, Italy — The U.S. women’s curling team finished just off the podium in fourth place after falling to Canada in the bronze medal game at the Milano Cortina Olympics, 10–7. The result matched the best Olympic finish for a U.S. women’s curling team.

Switzerland won silver, and Sweden took gold

In the finish area at the curling stadium, Tara Peterson of Team USA — sister of teammate Tabitha — told reporters, including TownLift, why people should buy tickets and go watch: “Curling is an addictive sport, once people start watching it, they can’t stop. It’s super fun for new people to attend live; everyone in Utah should go and watch and support our men. Just being able to play on home ice. When you have the fans behind you, it’s in your court; it just makes it that much sweeter. They’ll be really excited to be the home team.”

Canada led 5–3 after the sixth end. The U.S. tied it 5–5 after the seventh, but Canada pulled ahead again with a three-point eighth end to go up 8–5. Team USA scored two in the ninth to cut it to 8–7, but Canada scored two more in the 10th to win, 10–7.

Game stats showed Canada outshooting the U.S. overall. Canada shot 88% on draws, 91% on takeouts, and 80% on all shots. The U.S. shot 78% on draws, 81% on takeouts, and 82% overall. Both teams finished with 32 takeouts.

Amid the action, one Olympic curling spectator even brought knitting to the stands.

Taylor Anderson-Heide played third for Team USA.

Curling also drew families, with children in the stands throughout the session.

Cory Thiesse, fighting back tears, told reporters, including TownLift, in the finish area when asked about the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City: “I’m just hoping that we can inspire the next generation of curlers to continue playing and dreaming big.”