The US women’s curling team made history on Friday, beating Canada 9-8.
The round-robin nail-biter also made history, marking the first time Team USA has ever defeated Canada in Olympic women’s curling. Meanwhile, the neighboring countries have met at every Winter Games since the sport’s 1998 Olympic premiere.
The US capitalized on several weak shots from Canada’s top-ranked Team Homan. After the final stone, Team USA walked together down the ice with fists raised. The moment caught even the winners off guard.
“If that’s true,” said Minneapolis native Taylor Anderson-Heide. “I think we just played a really good game. They’re No. 1 in the world.”
Tara Peterson put it more simply: “It just always feels really good to beat Rachel Homan,” she said. “Any team to beat them — that’s pretty impressive.”
The US women’s curling squad is comprised of everyday athletes. Tara Peterson is a dentist, while her older sister and team skip, Tabitha Peterson, works as a pharmacist. Cory Thiesse, who already won silver in this year’s mixed doubles tournament, serves as a lab technician.
Three of the four also have young children at home: Tara’s son Eddie was born in September 2024, while Tabitha had daughter Noelle just months later.
The victory moves Team USA to 2-1 in round-robin play, with a win over Korea and a loss to Sweden rounding out their record so far.
How to watch Team USA in the Olympic women’s curling tournament
The US next faces Japan in Saturday’s Round Robin Session 5 – Sheet B, taking the ice at 1:05 PM ET, live on Peacock.



