Mouat and Dodds Secure Top Spot and Hammer Advantage in Olympic Curling
British curling pair Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds have positioned themselves strongly for the mixed doubles play-offs at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The duo secured the all-important hammer advantage after finishing at the top of the round robin rankings with an impressive eight victories from nine matches.
Convincing Victory Over Reigning Champions
In a decisive final round robin match, Mouat and Dodds defeated Italy's reigning Olympic and world champions Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner with a convincing 9-6 scoreline. This victory was particularly significant as it came against the host nation's team, who entered the competition with enormous expectations.
The Italian duo had previously won every game on their path to Olympic and world gold, but the British pair managed to silence the enthusiastic home crowd in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where Constantini was born and raised.
Strategic Advantage for Play-offs
The victory means Mouat and Dodds will hold the hammer going into the crucial play-off stages. In the shorter, faster-paced mixed doubles format, this tactical advantage can effectively control the entire game, making it a significant psychological and strategic edge.
"We take confidence from it and we want to play with the hammer which we had been saying all week," said Mouat, emphasizing the importance of this advantage.
Overcoming Earlier Setback
The British pair's only defeat came earlier on Sunday in a tense 7-6 battle against Switzerland. However, they bounced back strongly against the Italian champions, demonstrating resilience and championship mentality.
"That was an amazing game tonight," Dodds commented after the victory. "The crowd was amazing and we always knew it was almost going to be a third player for them and they didn't disappoint. I love playing in these environments and coming out with a win makes it even more special."
Looking Ahead to Semi-finals
Mouat and Dodds must now wait to discover their semi-final opponents, with the final session of games still to be completed. The semi-final is scheduled for 4.05pm UK time, with the British pair expressing confidence regardless of their opposition.
"We are exactly where we want to be going into the semi-finals at the top of the table," Dodds stated. "We know that we just need to rest and recover now before tomorrow's final."
Mouat added: "I now want to play Switzerland again because we can beat them this time. But whoever we get, we will be happy and we'll be playing well tomorrow."
Seeking Redemption from Beijing Disappointment
The current campaign represents a potential redemption story for the British duo. Four years ago at the Beijing Winter Olympics, they entered as world champions but suffered heartbreak in the knockout stages.
After being edged out by Norway in a tense semi-final thriller, they experienced a devastating 9-3 loss against Sweden in the bronze medal match, conceding after just six ends.
Now, with eight wins and the hammer advantage secured, Milano Cortina 2026 presents an opportunity for remedy. Monday's competition will determine whether they compete for gold or bronze medals, with the British pair determined to improve upon their previous Olympic performance.
The mixed doubles curling competition continues to captivate audiences, with TNT Sports on discovery+ providing comprehensive coverage of Milano Cortina 2026 for UK viewers, featuring over 850 hours of live action across all sports, venues, and medal events.
