These are the Olympics where it pays to take the scenic route. From the Alps to the Dolomites, via sleepy frazione, Milano Cortina 2026 is best enjoyed along the winding road.
Bruce Mouat and his curlers may well agree after reaching the men’s curling final, where they will take on Canada, the hard way.
Then again, perhaps their alpine trek to the business end of curling's marathon-like competition is good news; the last two times Great Britain have won curling gold, in 2002 and 2022, they have defied the critics and the odds.
Rhona Martin famously declared her team “dead” only to produce her stone of destiny and win gold at Salt Lake City 2002.
Four years ago Eve Muirhead recovered from a disastrous semi-final start to claim the title.
Mouat and his crew would do well to remind themselves of that history, having relied on other results falling their way to edge into the semi-finals. When it comes to the Olympics, British curlers have often been most dangerous when placed in the tightest of spots.
In his second Games appearance, skip Mouat is aware he needs to improve his record in knockout matches, having lost the 2022 final and two bronze medal play-offs in the mixed competition.
“We were not quite dead and buried but we were close,” said Hammy McMillan. “We had a slow start but we never lost faith in our ability or our confidence in each other. Now I think we are really close to our A game.
“Bruce is the best shot-maker in the world. What he has done for the last 18 months has been incredible. He is very cool, calm and collected but when he nails that big shot, that is when the fist pump and the emotions all come out. It has been a rollercoaster Olympics. We just need to finish on that high now.”
Mouat admitted it took him time to find his groove at these Games but momentum has arrived at the right moment. An unbeaten Swiss rink were brushed aside in the semi-finals, his triple take-out in the seventh end laying the foundation for victory.
“I think that is one of the best shots I have ever played in a pressure-cooker situation,” he said. “To make shots like that in a situation like we were in, it is what you dream of. It felt like this is now our time to go and push forward and win this.”
Canada, where former Great Britain coach David Murdoch is now director of performance, outclassed Mouat’s team 9-5 in the round-robin stage.
Team Mouat beat Team Jacobs in the semi-final of last year’s World Championships on their way to gold and they are relishing the chance to renew the rivalry.
“There is so much history in our sport and lots go back to these two nations,” said Mouat. “In our first ever world championship final, we played Canada in Canada. Now getting to play an Olympic gold medal match against them is pretty special."
Canada coach Paul Webster insisted the pressure sits with the reigning world champions.
“They are the best team in the world and that is the pressure on them,” he said. “We would really love to beat them in the final. We want to get to the gold medal match and play the best teams.”
With the final at primetime and British freestyle skier Zoe Atkin also chasing gold, it could yet be part of a Super Saturday.
Martin’s gold medal success was famously watched by 5.6 million viewers in 2002. In contrast, Muirhead’s win required fans to stay up into the small hours.
The first stones will hit the ice at 6.05pm UK time and Mouat knows the eyes of the nation will be on Cortina.
“The support here and from home has been immense,” added Mouat. “The nation falls in love with curling at the Olympics. We just need to give them the medal they want.”
Sportsbeat 2026