In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranå claimed gold in the mixed doubles curling event at the Winter Olympics on February 10, 2026. The siblings, who grew up as rivals and were coached by their father, Mats Wranå, faced off against the U.S. pair of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin in a nail-biting championship game. The Wranås' perseverance and strategic play secured their victory, leaving the Americans with a historic silver medal. The U.S. team, despite their loss, made history as the first U.S. team to medal in Olympic mixed doubles, and Thiesse became the first American woman to medal in Olympic curling.
The match was a testament to the siblings' strong bond and their ability to remain composed even in the face of a pro-U.S. crowd. While Dropkin played to the audience, the Wranås maintained their stoicism, showcasing their silent camaraderie with their small but dedicated fan base. The siblings' journey to the gold medal was not without challenges, as they initially struggled, losing three games in a row in the round-robin stage, earning the label of a 'Curlingfiasko' from the Swedish media.
However, they demonstrated resilience and won most of their remaining matches, ultimately claiming the world title in 2024. The U.S. pair, Thiesse and Dropkin, who are based in Duluth, Minnesota, and have full-time jobs, also made history. They won the world championship a year earlier and became the first American team to medal in Olympic mixed doubles. The match was a heartbreaker for the Americans, who received roaring support from their fans, including an enthusiastic 'Show me your biceps!' from an American curler.
In other Olympic curling news, Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner won the bronze medal, defeating Britain 5-3. The result was bittersweet for the Italians, who were the defending Olympic champions, while it was a devastating loss for the British duo, Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, who were expected to reach the final. The Italians' victory was celebrated by their fans, who packed the stands throughout the round-robin stage, hoping for a repeat of their previous success.
