Estonia Sets Olympic Curling Record at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games
Estonia made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games as Marie Kaldvee and Harri Lill, the nation’s first Olympic curlers, took to the ice in their debut match. This moment marked a significant milestone for Estonian curling.
Historic Firsts in Curling
On February 4, 2026, Kaldvee became the first athlete to deliver a stone in the Olympic curling competition, ahead of other matches, as curling kicked off two days before the Opening Ceremony. However, the excitement was briefly interrupted when the electricity supply for the extra TV lights failed during the first end.
Match Highlights
The Estonian team faced Switzerland in this inaugural match. Despite a strong start, where Switzerland took an early lead, Estonia managed to level the score at 1-1 in the second end. However, Switzerland’s Briar Schwaller-Huerlimann scored two points in the third end, pushing their lead to 3-1.
- After five ends, Switzerland led 5-1.
- By the eighth end, the score was 7-3 in favor of Switzerland.
- Estonia staged a dramatic comeback, scoring four points in the eighth end to tie the game at 7-7.
In the extra end, Switzerland secured the win with a score of 9-7, as they capitalized on their last stone advantage. Following the match, Harri Lill reflected on their Olympic experience, emphasizing the significance of their journey to these Games.
Reflections on Olympic Experience
Lill expressed pride in reaching the Olympics after two years of hard work. He described the Olympic Village and the stunning winter landscape as “epic” and highlighted the beauty of Cortina. Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of focusing on upcoming matches.
Other Matches in the Session
Other notable performances included Great Britain defeating Norway 8-6, with Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat showcasing their skills for a comeback victory, reversing the last Olympic matchup. Canada also emerged victorious against Czechia, winning 10-5. The Swedish duo of Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa clinched a dominant 10-3 victory over the Republic of Korea.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games have commenced with dramatic curling action, highlighting the potential for more historic moments as the competition unfolds.
