Canada, Britain extend unbeaten runs in Milan-Cortina 2026 mixed doubles curling

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Canada and Britain both extended their unbeaten runs on Thursday, one day ahead of the official opening of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Canada's Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant beat Beijing 2022 silver medalists Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten of Norway 6-3 in the afternoon session, then continued their strong form by trouncing defending champions Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner of Italy 7-2.

Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat also impressed with steady execution and balanced shot-making, defeating Estonia's Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill 10-5 before edging Julie Zelingrova and Vit Chabicovsky of the Czech Republic 8-7.

"We're feeling very good and enjoying ourselves. There are still things we can do better, but we're playing well enough to win against really tough teams," Mouat said.

Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States also collected two victories on Thursday, beating Norway 8-6 and Switzerland's Briar Schwaller-Huerlimann and Yannick Schwaller 7-4.

"It was a lot about figuring out the ice," Thiesse said after defeating Norway. "We struggled early with our draw weights, but we had a really good fourth-end break. We refocused, talked about the different speeds and paths, and emphasized better communication out on the ice."

Norway, the Czech Republic and South Korea remain winless after three round-robin games.

"We've been struggling a bit to read the ice conditions," Norway's Nedregotten said. "As a team we work well together, but we haven't been decisive or precise enough in understanding where to place the broom. That affects our lines and, as a result, our weight."

Mosaner will be one of Italy's flagbearers at a simultaneous opening ceremony held in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Friday.

"It will be a very special moment in my life to compete in front of a home crowd and carry the Italian flag," Mosaner said.  ■