US Women's Curling Team Captures First-Ever World Championship Gold

Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo — A dramatic extra-end finish has catapulted Team USA into the women’s curling semifinals, ending a 24-year medal-round drought and igniting hopes for the nation’s first podium in the discipline. Skip Tabitha Peterson coolly delivered the winning stone in the 11th end to edge Japan 7-6, locking up the No. 2 seed for the knockout stage. The clutch victory follows the Americans’ headline-grabbing 9-8 upset of reigning world champion Canada earlier in group play, a result that reshaped the standings and signaled the squad’s arrival as legitimate contenders. Powered by near-flawless shot-making from lead Becca Hamilton and vice-skip Nina Roth, the U.S. women now sit at 7-2 — their best preliminary record since curling returned to the Olympic program. Thursday’s thriller showcased the nerves of Peterson, whose final draw nestled perfectly onto the button after Japan’s Ikue Kitazawa came up light with her hammer attempt. “That was the most locked-in I’ve ever felt on a throw,” Peterson said post-game. “You dream of making that shot for your country.” The arena erupted as alternate Aileen Geving sprinted out to sweep the celebratory U-S-A broom wave for the crowd of red, white and blue-clad fans. The semifinal berth is the first for an American women’s rink since Salt Lake City 2002, when a young Peterson watched from the stands as Team Johnson fell short. “I remember telling my parents, ‘Someday that’ll be me,’” she recalled. “Now we’re two wins from gold.” Key numbers • Draw percentage: Peterson 88%, Roth 86%, Hamilton 90% • Steals: USA 10, second-best of the tournament • Hammer efficiency: 73% (tops in the field) What’s next Team USA faces third-seed Switzerland in Friday’s semifinal, a rematch of last month’s Grand Slam final in Calgary that the Americans captured 6-5. A win guarantees at least silver and would set up a potential gold-medal clash with either Canada or host nation Italy. How to watch NBC, Peacock and USA Network will carry live coverage beginning 14:05 CET (8:05 a.m. ET). Fans can stream dedicated house-mic audio for strategists’ calls and listen along with two-time Olympic skip Erika Brown on commentary. Road to Milan Peterson’s lineup qualified for the Games by winning the 2025 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eveleth, Minn., then stormed through the Pan-Continental Championship with a 9-1 record. Their Olympic momentum grew with February tune-ups against Sweden and Scotland, giving analysts cause to peg them as dark horses. With momentum, precision and a nation behind them, the U.S. women’s curling team now slides into the weekend chasing history — and the chance to bring home American curling’s first women’s Olympic medal ever.