The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, running from February 6 to 22 across Italy’s iconic venues, have delivered early excitement for Team GB. Britain’s athletes showcased resilience and talent on February 8, with mixed doubles curling pair Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds clinching a semi-final spot through an unbeaten run, while Kirsty Muir impressed in freeski slopestyle qualification. These performances underscore Britain’s targeted strengths in winter sports, blending experience with emerging youth amid a compact 17-day schedule featuring over 100 medal events.
Curling Excellence: Mouat and Dodds Unstoppable
Great Britain’s mixed doubles team produced a masterclass, maintaining a flawless 7-0 record to top the round-robin standings with two games remaining. Victories over powerhouse nations Canada (7-5) and the previously unbeaten United States (6-4) highlighted their precision and composure.
Against Canada, an early three-point steal set the tone, with Jen Dodds redeeming a rare error to seal the win. Facing the USA later, Britain built a three-end lead before weathering a fightback, ultimately stealing in the seventh for a two-point cushion. Dodds’ clinical final end draw ensured victory.
Mouat reflected post-match: “We’re here to medal— we’ve chased it for four years.” The childhood friends, bronze medalists in 2022, now eye gold. Upcoming matches against Switzerland (February 9, 13:35 GMT) and hosts Italy (18:05 GMT) will determine semi-final opponents, with live BBC coverage.
This dominance positions GB as favorites, contrasting broader Olympic narratives where underdogs often shine.
Kirsty Muir Qualifies Strongly for Slopestyle Final
In Livigno, 21-year-old Kirsty Muir advanced comfortably to the women’s freeski slopestyle final, scoring 64.98 for third place behind Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud and China’s Eileen Gu—Beijing 2022’s gold and silver medalists.
Returning from an ACL injury, Muir expressed relief: “Putting down a good run in qualifications was key… Now in the final, it’s all out.” Her recent form—three World Cup golds, including two in slopestyle—marks her as a genuine podium threat. The final airs Monday, February 10, from 11:30 GMT.
Teammate Chris McCormick, competing despite an ankle injury, missed the men’s top 12 with 33.90 but celebrated his debut: “From dry slope to Olympics— that’s achievement enough.”
Historic Debuts and Team Event Exit
Anna Pryce made British history in Tesero as the first woman to contest the 10km + 10km skiathlon, finishing 42nd—7:24 behind Sweden’s Frida Karlsson. Switching allegiance from Canada, Pryce embraced the moment: “I was giggling at the start— relaxed and enjoying it.”
In Milan, Team GB exited the figure skating team event early, finishing ninth despite Edward Appleby’s season-best 69.68 in the men’s short program. The 21-year-old enjoyed the atmosphere, while powerhouses USA, Japan, and Italy advanced.
Key Team GB Performances at Milano Cortina 2026 (Early Highlights)
| Discipline | Athlete(s) | Achievement | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Doubles Curling | Bruce Mouat & Jen Dodds | 7-0 record; semi-final qualified | Matches vs Switzerland/Italy |
| Women’s Slopestyle | Kirsty Muir | 3rd in qualification (64.98) | Final: Feb 10 |
| Men’s Slopestyle | Chris McCormick | Missed final (33.90) | Big air upcoming |
| Women’s Skiathlon | Anna Pryce | 42nd; historic GB debut | Further events possible |
| Figure Skating Team | Edward Appleby et al. | 9th overall | Individual events |
Outlook for Team GB
Early results signal promise in core disciplines like curling and freeskiing, where investment yields returns. Mouat/Dodds chase Britain’s first curling gold since 2022 women’s triumph, while Muir eyes a breakthrough medal.
Challenges persist in depth-heavy events, but debuts like Pryce’s and McCormick’s inspire future generations. With curling semis looming and slopestyle finals approaching, GB’s campaign gains momentum.
Milano Cortina 2026 celebrates winter sport’s thrill across stunning Italian venues. For Britain, these openings blend pride, potential, and pursuit of excellence—capturing the Olympic spirit perfectly.
