Winter Olympics Kick Off with Quiet Curling Competition
The 2026 Winter Olympics commenced with the first curling matches in Cortina, Italy, two days prior to the official opening ceremony. The event attracted several hundred spectators who witnessed eight competing teams as they prepared for their matches at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
Power Outage Disrupts Matches
Shortly after the matches began, the scoreboard experienced a brief power outage. This incident affected games that included Sweden versus South Korea, Great Britain versus Norway, Canada versus the Czech Republic, and Estonia versus Switzerland. Officials paused the games as lights began to flicker and the media center lost power. Despite the disruption, the curlers remained active, sliding stones on the ice while fans rallied with cheers when the lights returned, and the competition resumed.
Match Details and Results
The organizers attributed the interruption to an “energy-related issue,” confirming that it lasted around three minutes. As the matches continued, the British duo of Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds achieved an 8-6 victory over Norway, marking a successful start for their team. Sweden, Canada, and Estonia also emerged victorious in their initial matches.
- Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds: Defeated Norway 8-6
- Sweden: Secured a victory
- Canada: Overcame Czech Republic
- Estonia: Won their opening match
Italy, the reigning mixed doubles Olympic champion, will open their title defense against South Korea on Thursday. This tournament marks their first step towards another gold medal.
Upcoming Opening Ceremony
The official opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics is set for Friday at the historic San Siro football stadium in Milan. This year’s event will be unique, as the traditional parade of athletes will take place across three different venues. The Games will utilize a network of pre-existing sites located 350 kilometers (217 miles) across northern Italy, spanning from Cortina to Milan. This innovative approach emphasizes the widespread nature of the event.
