US women’s curling has eyes on the prize, with Team USA surviving a four-team race for the final two Olympic semifinal spots by defeating Switzerland in a 7-6 thriller on Thursday.
Kicking off the matchup tied for third on a 5-3 round-robin record with Canada and South Korea — with defending champion Great Britain’s semifinal hopes trailing just behind on a 4-4 tally — the USA’s most direct path to this weekend’s Olympic medal rounds required a win over the already-qualified Swiss squad.
Led by newly crowned mixed doubles silver medalist Cory Thiesse, the US entered Thursday’s win-and-in game coming off a stinging 8-7 loss to Great Britain — a contest that would have clinched their semis spot had the USA claimed victory.
“That one hurt a little more,” captain Tabitha Peterson said postgame. “I think maybe I just attacked wrong on my second-to-last shot, and then I just didn’t make my last one either. That’s unfortunate, but they made a fantastic shot, so not much you could do about that.”
Peterson flipped the script on Thursday, however, coming in clutch after Switzerland forced an extra frame with a stunning 10th-end three-stone tally to tie the US 6-6.
The 36-year-old skipper then broke the deadlock with her final shot to secure both the win and the USA women’s second-ever trip to the Olympic semifinals — the team’s first medal round berth in 24 years.
The Stateside quartet will now take aim at a first-ever podium finish alongside Canada, who secured the final spot in the knockouts by defeating South Korea 10-7 on Thursday, Switzerland, and the top-seeded three-time champion Sweden.
How to watch US women’s curling in the 2026 Olympic semifinals
At the same time that Canada faces Sweden — arguably the toughest team in the field — Team USA will look to hand Switzerland a second straight loss when the pair meet again less than 24 hours after Thursday’s result.
Both semifinals begin at 8:05 AM ET on Friday, airing live on Peacock and USA Network.



