USA’s Dramatic Late Steal Shatters China’s Lead in Women’s Curling Thriller at Milan Cortina 2026

Team USA achieved a thrilling 6-5 victory over China in the women’s curling round-robin match at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games. The Americans stole two late points in the 10th end to secure the win, overcoming a mid-game deficit and demonstrating resilience under pressure.

Despite a shaky start with a shooting percentage of just 69 percent on draw shots, skip Tara Peterson executed a crucial draw in the final end. Her last stone came down the right side of the house and nestled on the back of the four-foot circle, setting up the winning play. China attempted a runback with the hammer to reclaim the advantage, but their shot fell short, allowing the U.S. to steal one and close out the match.

Momentum Shift After Midgame Deficit

The United States trailed 4-1 at the halfway break, facing a significant challenge to turn the game around. Peterson described the team’s halftime meeting as pivotal, focusing on increasing energy and fine-tuning draw speed. "We had a good team meeting at the fifth end break of what we needed to do to flip it around," she said. The team responded by maintaining pressure and forcing China into difficult shots over the second half.

Key Moments Leading to the Comeback

• In the sixth end, China’s final shot failed to penetrate the house, allowing Peterson to tap out an opponent’s stone and score two points.
• Peterson drew confidently to the button on the final shot of the eighth end, securing a single point.
• With the score tied 5-5 going into the final end, Peterson threw a guard that China’s Wang Rui inadvertently struck, leaving the Americans with shot rock on the button.

China maintained a slight edge in shooting accuracy, 84 percent to 83 percent, and dominated in takeouts with 42 compared to the U.S.’s 16. However, the timing and precision of the U.S. draws proved decisive.

Team USA’s Continued Strong Performance

This victory marked Team USA’s third consecutive win at the Milan Cortina Games, improving their record to 4-1 in the tournament. Peterson emphasized the team’s growing confidence and ability to close tight matches. “We kind of build off every game,” she stated, noting their solid play against Japan the previous night.

Upcoming Matches

The American team is set to face Italy next, with the game scheduled for early Monday afternoon ET. China will look to rebound in their match against Canada scheduled early Monday morning ET.

Score Summary

The match underscored the strategic execution and mental toughness required in high-stakes curling. Team USA’s ability to adjust tactics mid-game proved critical in overcoming an early deficit and securing a narrow victory over a formidable Chinese squad.