Winter Olympics 2026: British curlers denied Olympic gold at the death again

After the epic semi-final win over Switzerland on Thursday, Mowat referred to the victory as “our gold medal”. arrogant? maybe. But this belief was founded in reality.

His rink has won two World Championships and two European crowns as well as a record 12 Grand Slam titles since the last Games.

On top of that, they have an excellent record against the Canadians and beat them in the World Series semi-finals last year. Jacobs’ long-running side had won the Tour meeting earlier in the week but it was a rare setback.

In that contest, GB took a six-point lead before losing 9-5, leaving them in need of support from other teams.

It was the same this time, with the impressive Mowatt outscoring Britain 5-4 at that stage after a cagey opening half in which he and 2014 gold medalist Brad Jacobs traded points.

Canada – which has had a tough time here amid cheating allegations – tied it after seven, but Britain had a hammer advantage in two of the final three ends.

They couldn’t make the most of it though.

Just one out in the eighth for Team GB gave Canada a chance and they snatched it mercilessly, capitalizing on some late stones in the ninth to take an 8-6 lead heading into the final.

Mowat had the hammer but needed two to force an extra end. Can the man considered the best shot-maker in the world deliver the goods in the biggest moment?

He couldn’t. For the second Olympics in a row, the British rink was left with a medal they didn’t want.

“We wanted to win it for each other,” Hardy told BBC Sport.

“The pain we went through four years ago was so great that we wanted to try it again. We gave ourselves a chance but unfortunately we didn’t get there again.”