USA curling team’s undefeated run ends with losses to GB and South Korea

The USA Curling Team’s stunning undefeated run at the 2026 Winter Olympics came crashing down on Saturday, February 7. Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin suffered back-to-back losses to Great Britain and South Korea, dropping their record from a perfect 4-0 to 4-2. What happened next revealed critical weaknesses in their game.

Great Britain’s Gold Medal Favorites Dominate Team USA

Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds of Great Britain proved why the betting odds favor them for gold. The British pair, remaining undefeated at 7-0, dismantled the previously unbeaten Americans with clinical precision.

The U.S. trailed 4-1 at halftime, their second major deficit all tournament. Thiesse and Dropkin managed only three takeouts versus Great Britain’s ten, turning a close match into a rout. Thiesse shot just 25 percent on takeout attempts, a concerning stat against elite opponents.

After Dropkin placed a crucial hammer stone perfectly in the fifth end to score three and tie it 4-4, the momentum shifted. Dodds answered with precise singles in the sixth and seventh ends. The Americans couldn’t recover despite using their power play strategically.

South Korea’s First Win Comes at Perfect Time Against USA

Kim Seon-yeong and Jeong Yeong-seok seized their first tournament victory just hours after America’s initial defeat. South Korea, winless entering the day, scored methodically across nine ends to escape with a 6-5 extra-end triumph.

The Koreans never gave the Americans more than one point per end, limiting offensive chances. Thiesse’s frustration grew audible during the broadcast after missing critical takeout attempts. The Americans forced overtime by scoring three in the eighth end but fell inches short on a measurement that could have won it.

South Korea outshot the U.S. 86 percent to 79 percent, exposing sloppy execution under pressure. Facing a clear house in the ninth end, South Korea simply placed their hammer on the button for the win.

Day 4 Standings and Path Forward

“We just need to reset, think like a goldfish and go out with a fresh mind.”

— Korey Dropkin, USA Mixed Doubles Curling

Technical Breakdown: Where the U.S. Stumbled Today

The Americans’ collapse wasn’t due to bad luck but rather inconsistent shotmaking. Thiesse’s 25 percent takeout accuracy against Great Britain painted a troubling picture. Elite curlers at the Olympic level shoot closer to 60-70 percent on critical shots.

Against South Korea in the seventh end, both of Thiesse’s final stones completely cleared the house rather than scoring. The power play usage showed strategic thinking, but execution failed when it mattered most. These aren’t the performances expected from Americans representing Team USA at peak competition.

The silver lining: Thiesse and Dropkin still control their playoff destiny. They face Estonia next at 8:35 a.m. ET on Sunday. Three remaining round-robin games provide redemption opportunities before February 10 semifinals.

Can Team USA Recover from Saturday’s Double Blow at Milano Cortina?

The psychological weight of back-to-back defeats looms large. Yet the Americans have shown resilience throughout their careers. Duluth’s finest proved they belong in Olympics’ mixed doubles tournament by reaching this stage.

Great Britain’s unprecedented 7-0 start earned them a direct semifinals berth. The Americans must recalibrate, refocus, and remember why they won their first four matches. One collapse doesn’t erase their earlier excellence. The question now becomes whether February 8-9 brings renewed precision or continued struggles.