Team GB Curlers Win Olympics Opener Despite Power Outage
Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds kicked off Britain's Winter Olympics campaign with an inspiring comeback victory, shrugging off a power cut and early setback to defeat Norway 8-6 in mixed doubles curling. The medal contenders turned a shaky start into a confident statement win.
When the lights went out during their Olympic opener, Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds didn't panic. They just kept dancing under the disco lights until someone fixed the power at Italy's Cortina Curling Stadium.
The Scottish curling duo faced Norway in the first competition of the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing Team GB's opening chance at glory. After losing the first end and playing through a five-minute power outage that plunged parts of the 1956-era venue into darkness, the childhood friends rallied with three points in the second end and never looked back.
"I didn't mind the lights going off," Mouat joked afterward. "It was a bit of a boogie, a rave... it was like a nightclub."
The match against Norway carried extra weight for the pair. In 2022, they lost a semi-final lead to the same Norwegian husband-and-wife team of Magnus Nedregotten and Kristin Skaslien, then missed bronze entirely. This time, they made sure history didn't repeat itself.
The turning point came in the sixth end when Dodds delivered a stunning throw that gave Britain a commanding three-shot cushion. Norway fought back in the seventh, but Mouat and Dodds closed out the 8-6 victory with tactical brilliance in the final end.
Why This Inspires
What makes this win special goes beyond the scoreboard. Mouat and Dodds showed the kind of composure that separates good athletes from great ones, staying relaxed through technical difficulties and tactical challenges alike.
Their ability to problem-solve mid-match impressed even themselves. "It took us a bit of time to work out one end was curling more than the other, but once we did we took a step up in performance," Dodds explained after the win.
The victory wasn't just redemption for 2022. It proved these world silver medallists belong in the medal conversation, capable of handling pressure, adapting to conditions, and beating elite opponents when it matters most.
With two more matches coming Thursday against Estonia and the Czech Republic, both teams that lost their openers, Britain's curling stars have momentum on their side. The pounding music and disco atmosphere at the Cortina venue might have been quirky, but Mouat and Dodds proved they can shine under any lights.
Based on reporting by BBC Sport
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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