U.S. Women's Curling Beats Canada in Olympic History

For nearly three decades, the U.S. women's curling team faced Canada at every Olympic Games since 1998 and lost every single time. That streak ended Friday in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with a thrilling 9-8 victory that left the American team surprised to learn they'd just made history.

"They're No. 1 in the world," said Minneapolis native Taylor Anderson-Heide after the nailbiter finish. The team walked together down the ice after the final stone, raising their fists in triumph.

Canada's Team Homan has dominated international curling for years, making the upset even more impressive. The Americans capitalized on a few uncharacteristic weak shots by their northern rivals to secure the landmark win.

This year's U.S. women's team brings an inspiring mix of everyday life and Olympic dreams. Three team members juggle professional careers alongside curling: Tara Peterson works as a dentist, her older sister Tabitha (the team's skip) is a pharmacist, and Cory Thiesse works as a lab technician.

Even more remarkably, three of them are mothers to young children. Tara gave birth to her son Eddie in September 2024, and Tabitha welcomed daughter Noelle just months later.

Thiesse has already claimed a silver medal in the mixed doubles event at these same Games. Alongside Anderson-Heide and alternate Aileen Geving from Minnesota, the team represents a new generation of curlers who prove you don't have to choose between family, career, and Olympic glory.

The Ripple Effect

The victory sends a powerful message to women athletes everywhere that motherhood and career ambitions don't have to derail Olympic dreams. These women are rewriting the playbook on what's possible, showing up on the world's biggest stage while managing dental practices, pharmacy work, and newborns at home.

Their achievement also marks a turning point for U.S. curling. While the American men notably beat Canada in the 2018 Olympic final, the women had never claimed that victory until now.

The team still has several matches left in the round-robin competition before the semifinals next Friday. With a 2-1 record after victories against Korea and Canada, plus one loss to Sweden, they're building momentum at exactly the right time.

For these working moms from Minnesota who balance test tubes and teething rings with Olympic competition, beating the world's best was just another day proving what determination looks like.