Canada out in Olympic mixed doubles curling as Italy, the US and Sweden advance to semifinals

Canada’s Olympic Curling Dream Shattered as Mixed Doubles Team Eliminated

In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Canada’s passionate curling community, the nation’s mixed doubles team was eliminated from Olympic medal contention following a devastating 9-5 loss to South Korea on Sunday night in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

The defeat marked the fifth consecutive loss for the husband-and-wife team of Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, who entered the Winter Games as heavy favorites but now find themselves facing the harsh reality of an early exit.

“It hurts,” Gallant said in the aftermath of their elimination. “Yes, it’s an accomplishment to make it here but that wasn’t our goal. We wanted more.”

The elimination represents another significant setback for Canada’s curling program, which has seen its once-dominant international standing gradually erode over recent Olympic cycles. A decade ago, such an early exit would have been almost unthinkable for a nation that views curling not just as a sport, but as a cultural institution.

Peterman and Gallant began the tournament promisingly with victories over Czechia, Norway, and Italy, building momentum and meeting initial expectations. However, their campaign began unraveling with a loss to the United States, followed by consecutive defeats to top-ranked Britain and then, surprisingly, to bottom-ranked Estonia.

Sunday’s competition brought no relief as they fell to Sweden’s sibling duo of Isabella and Rasmus Wrana in the morning session before the South Korean team delivered the final blow, mathematically eliminating the Canadians from semifinal contention.

The emotional toll was evident as Peterman, normally composed and stoic, was seen wiping tears from her face after their loss to Sweden. Following their elimination, she struggled to contain her emotions.

“I’ll have to move out of the village,” Peterman said, explaining that she would remain in Italy with the couple’s son and their families to support Gallant as he prepares to compete in the men’s curling event.

When asked what would comfort them most during this difficult time, Gallant’s response was poignant: “a hug from our son.”

The Canadian team’s coach, Scott Pfeifer, had identified early deficits as a recurring problem throughout the tournament. “We need to get off to a better start, instead of playing catch-up all the time,” he noted prior to their final matches. Gallant also cited rapidly changing ice conditions as a factor in their struggles, particularly during Saturday’s competitions when the surface played much faster than expected.

With Canada’s elimination, the semifinal lineup is now set with Italy, the United States, and Sweden joining previously qualified Britain. The semifinals will take place on Monday, without Canadian representation for the first time since mixed doubles curling was introduced to the Olympic program.

The disappointment resonates particularly deeply in Canada, where curling enjoys mainstream popularity and a knowledgeable fan base that follows the sport with intense scrutiny. The Canadian curling community has grown accustomed to Olympic success over decades, making this early exit all the more jarring.

Canada’s curling hopes now shift to the traditional four-person team competitions, with the men’s and women’s round robin events scheduled to begin on February 11 and 12, respectively. These teams will carry the additional pressure of restoring Canadian pride in a sport that has long been considered a national specialty.

For Peterman and Gallant, the Olympic journey ends prematurely, but the couple will have little time to process their disappointment as Gallant prepares to return to competition in the men’s event, where Canadian expectations will once again be sky-high.