U.S. Curling Mixed Doubles Team Gets Silver as Sweden Takes the Gold

Successful Hammer shots from Sweden and some misplayed USA Throws did the trick

Cortina Bay, ITA- The Gold Medal game in Curling Mixed Doubles between Team USA’s Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin took on the brother and sister tandem of Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa, which was a tightly contested matchup. With the strong hammer shots from Isabella Wranaa, and several missed shots from the Cory’s, it would be a silver medal for Team USA as Sweden took it in the last end by the final score of six to five.

Overview

After taking the lead in the opening end, Sweden took advantage of their final stone. What looked to be a possible point for the USA, Isabella found a way to throw her stone, and her brother Rasmus was sweeping very hard to get the hammer to curl and nestled inside the button for two points and the two-to-one lead.

Every end, Sweden had the hammer; Isabella found ways to steal points from the USA and played every final stone perfectly. Each side was winning their respective ends by a point. Then, in the seventh end, the USA could’ve had the chance to earn three points and take a massive lead, but on Sweden’s fifth stone, they took out two of the three stones in the house on the left side. Thiesse used the hammer and placed it perfectly inside the button for two. Five-to-four USA.

But on the eighth and final end, several big misses by the Cory’s, either not connecting properly or too much on the throwing of the stones, allowed the Wranaa’s to take the full two points as they would take the gold medal, while the Cory’s took the silver medal. While it was heartbreaking to see Korey Dropkin look disappointed, overall, he and Cory Thiesse played an amazing Mixed Doubles tournament, and hopefully they can return for the next winter games in four years.

“It was a great game. You know, two really good teams, very back and forth. And, you know, we just needed to be a little bit sharper than we were today, but we’re not going to let that game take away from the week that we had. We’re so proud of the way that we played this week and battled in that last game. They’re a great team, and props to them, and we’re very excited to be walking away with the silver medal for sure,” said Cory Thiesse

“Oh, man, yeah. This week’s been a dream. Just had a blast playing with Corey, Kathy, and Phil, and all of our supporters here, having the family and all our friends in the stands. Has meant the world. Man, Rasmus and Isabella are great, great curlers. You know, they deserve this. They played amazingly.

You know, it didn’t quite show up as sharp as I needed to, as we needed to. And, you know, that’s why they came away with the win. Week. Man, we’re on the podium. We’re Olympic silver medalists. A lot to smile about. There are tears of joy and a little bit of sadness, but lots of joy and just a blessing this week has been,” said Korey Dropkin

NOTE: Cory Thiesse is the first American Women’s Curler to win an Olympic Medal, before she joins the Women’s Team in their hunt for a medal as well.

Olympic Curling News:

• U.S. Curling Mixed Doubles Team Advances to The Gold Medal Game, Defeats Italy on Final End
• U.S. Curling Mixed Doubles Fall to Italy on Final Day of Round Robin Play
• U.S. Curling Mixed Doubles Makes History Qualifying for the Semi-Finals edging Sweden
• U.S. Curling Mixed Doubles Back in the Win Column. Poor Execution From Estonia Late

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