GB Curling Teams Await Final Results While Double‑Touch Debate Rages

Updated 2026-02-18 20:23:36+00:00 (8 articles)

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CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Silver medalists Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Team United States celebrate on the podium after the Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Game on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on February 10, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Source Full size
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Canada's Marc Kennedy was accused of double-touching stones when he released them (Reuters) Source Full size
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Canada's Marc Kennedy was accused of double-touching stones when he released them (Reuters) Source Full size
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Canada's Rachel Homan slammed the officials' decision to remove her stone (AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size
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CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Silver medalists Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Team United States celebrate on the podium after the Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Game on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on February 10, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Source Full size
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GB Men and Women Secure Wins Over USA On February 18, the British men defeated the United States 9‑2 in six ends and the women edged an 8‑7 victory after a final‑end steal, keeping both squads alive for a possible semifinal berth[1]. The men completed their nine‑game round robin, while the women still have one match remaining. Both teams praised their resilience after early setbacks in the tournament.

Path to Semifinals Hinges on Other Nations The men now require Italy to lose to Switzerland or Norway to fall to Canada on Thursday to finish in the top four[1]. The women must beat host Italy on Thursday and rely on a Swiss victory over the United States to clinch a semifinal spot[1]. British skip described the situation as “horrible,” emphasizing dependence on external results.

Double‑Touch Accusations Spread Across Nations Swedish skip Oskar Eriksson publicly accused Canadian Marc Kennedy of an illegal double‑touch, prompting a viral expletive‑filled exchange and a verbal warning for Kennedy’s language[5]. Similar allegations later targeted Canadian women’s skip Rachel Homan and Great Britain’s Bobby Lammie, showing the issue was not confined to Canada[5]. World Curling rules forbid any contact with the granite part of a stone, and officials briefly stationed umpires at the hog line before reverting to self‑policing[4].

Veteran Players Defend Peers and Downplay Scandal U.S. curler Korey Dropkin told CBS News the controversy was “unfortunate,” defended Kennedy as “one of the greatest curlers,” and condemned the foul language used in the debate[2]. Canadian veteran Ben Hebert predicted the story would fade within two weeks and that curling coverage would return to its normal four‑year cycle[4]. World Curling President Beau Welling reiterated the sport’s “spirit of integrity, honor and friendship,” insisting the ethos remains intact[4].

Atmosphere Calms as Medal Rounds Approach After the brief rule change and intense media focus, the venue has quieted and athletes report readiness to concentrate on upcoming medal games[4]. The controversy’s resolution allows competitors to shift attention to performance rather than officiating disputes. Officials continue to monitor releases but have not introduced permanent video review mechanisms[5].

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Timeline

1956 – The Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, a partially‑wooden 3,500‑seat arena, is built for the 1956 Winter Games, later becoming the historic venue for the 2026 Olympic curling events. [3]

2022 – Jen Dodds wins gold with the British women’s team, providing experience that later helps the 2026 GB rink described as “having the talent of winning ugly.” [1]

Feb 4, 2026 – A brief three‑minute power outage dims the lights at the Cortina arena, halting the opening mixed‑doubles matches; play resumes after officials restore power, and American skip Korey Dropkin calls the atmosphere “very cool” as his team prepares to “pour our hearts out on the ice.” [7][8]

Feb 5, 2026 – In the opening mixed‑doubles round‑robin, Britain’s Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds overcome a lost first end and a four‑minute blackout to beat Norway 8‑6, scoring three in the second end and sealing the win with a final‑end powerplay; the victory sets up Thursday ties against Estonia (09:05 GMT) and the Czech Republic (18:05). [3]

Feb 5, 2026 – The AP photo gallery begins documenting Olympic curling matches, capturing early action from mixed‑doubles teams including the United States, Italy, and Norway. [5]

Feb 8, 2026 – Dropkin celebrates a mixed‑doubles win with teammate Cory Thiesse, a moment highlighted in the ongoing photo series of the Games. [5]

Feb 9, 2026 – Dropkin delivers stones against Italy in a mixed‑doubles match, illustrating the U.S. team’s active participation in the early round‑robin. [5]

Feb 11, 2026 – Technicians prepare the granite stones for competition, underscoring the meticulous equipment standards required for Olympic‑level curling. [5]

Feb 16, 2026 – Canada’s Emma Miskew, China’s Dong Ziqi and Jiang Jiayi, and Switzerland’s Selina Witschonke appear in the women’s round‑robin, reflecting the depth of the global field as the tournament approaches its medal rounds. [5]

Feb 17, 2026 – Swedish skip Oskar Eriksson publicly accuses Canadian Marc Kennedy of a “double‑touch” on release, sparking a viral expletive‑filled exchange; World Curling issues a verbal warning to Kennedy and reiterates that any contact with a stone’s granite mandates removal. [2][6]

Feb 17, 2026 – Canadian women’s skip Rachel Homan faces a similar double‑touch allegation, denies any breach with a “zero percent chance” claim, and calls the stone removal “insane” after Canada’s 8‑7 loss to Switzerland. [2]

Feb 17, 2026 – Officials briefly station umpires at the hog line to monitor fouls, then rescind the measure, reaffirming curling’s tradition of self‑policing amid the scandal. [6]

Feb 17, 2026 – Sweden’s defending men’s team is eliminated after a sixth loss in seven round‑robin games, ending their campaign in a week marked by controversy. [6]

Feb 17, 2026 – U.S. curler Korey Dropkin tells CBS that the double‑touch debate is “unfortunate,” stresses that the practice has long been common among Olympians, and defends Marc Kennedy as “one of the greatest curlers of all time.” [4]

Feb 18, 2026 – Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams each defeat the United States (men 9‑2 in six ends, women 8‑7 after a final‑end steal), keeping their semi‑final hopes alive; the men now await Italy’s result against Switzerland, while the women must beat host Italy and hope Switzerland beats the USA. [1]

Feb 18, 2026 – GB men’s skip describes the situation as “a horrible position to be in, watching other games and hoping results go our way,” emphasizing the team’s reliance on external outcomes. [1]

Feb 18, 2026 – Lead Jen Dodds remarks that the squad “has the talent of winning ugly” and urges teammates to “embrace the experience and the noise” as they chase a medal. [1]

Feb 19, 2026 (future) – Britain’s men must see Italy lose to Switzerland to finish in the top four and reach the semi‑finals on Friday, while the women face Italy in a must‑win match and depend on a Swiss victory over the USA to secure their own semi‑final berth. [1]

Feb 20, 2026 (future) – The Olympic curling medal games begin, with both GB squads positioned to compete if Thursday’s results fall in their favor; World Curling President Beau Welling reaffirms that the “spirit of curling” remains intact despite recent tests. [6]

By Feb 28, 2026 (future) – Canadian curler Ben Hebert predicts the cheating controversy will be “over within two weeks,” suggesting media attention will return to its normal four‑year cycle. [6]