U.S. Women’s Curling Team Makes History With First Olympic Victory Over Canada

The U.S. women’s curling team achieved a historic milestone on Friday by defeating Canada 9-8 at the Milano Cortina Olympics, marking the first time American women have beaten the Canadian squad at the Games. Taylor Anderson-Heide, a Minneapolis native, praised her team’s effort, saying, “I think we just played a really good game. They’re No. 1 in the world.” Tara Peterson added, “It just always feels really good to beat Rachel Homan. So any team to beat them, that’s pretty impressive.”

Canada’s Team Homan has long been considered the best in the world, medaling in every Winter Olympics since curling became an Olympic sport in 1998. The U.S. men had previously achieved a first victory over Canada in the 2018 Games, eventually winning gold. For the American women, Friday’s win was particularly special, as they had never beaten Canada in Olympic play before.

U.S. Women’s Curling Team Balances Skill, Careers And Family During Historic Olympic Victory

The U.S. team capitalized on a few weak shots by Canada, celebrating their victory by walking down the ice and raising fists in triumph. Skip Tabitha Peterson, her sister Tara, Cory Thiesse, Taylor Anderson-Heide, and alternate Aileen Geving make up the team, combining experience, skill, and a relatable, approachable style. Several team members balance curling with careers and family life: Tara Peterson is a dentist and mother to a young son, Tabitha is a pharmacist and mother, Thiesse is a lab technician and silver medalist in mixed doubles, and Geving has a young daughter.

Despite the historic win, Tabitha Peterson emphasized the team’s focus on staying grounded. She treats the Olympics “as just another tournament,” aiming to maintain calm and consistency.

After Friday’s milestone, the Americans hold a 2-1 record in the round-robin stage, with a prior win over Korea and a loss to Sweden. They still have several matches to play before the semifinals next Friday, but Friday’s victory over Canada has already cemented a memorable moment in U.S. women’s curling history.