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Americans Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, both from Duluth, clinched a berth in the 2026 Olympic mixed doubles curling competition when they beat Canada 8-4 at the world championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on Saturday to earn a fifth-place finish that was enough for a spot in Milan-Cortina.

“While we’re disappointed to have not finished on the podium, we were beyond thrilled to make the playoffs and secure our spot at the Olympics!” Thiesse said. “It’s a dream come true for both of us.”

It will be the first Olympics for Dropkin, who was runner-up to five-time Olympian and 2018 gold medalist John Shuster at the U.S. men’s trials for each of the last two Winter Games. Thiesse was an alternate for Nina Roth’s women’s team in Pyeongchang in 2018.

“We work so hard for this, and it’s rewarding to see hard work pay off,” Thiesse said. “Honored and excited to be representing the USA in Cortina!”

Thiesse and Dropkin won the U.S. mixed doubles trials this winter to earn the right to represent the country at the world championships in Canada. But the Americans needed to finish at least fifth in Fredericton to qualify for the Olympics.

After beating Canada on Saturday, Thiesse and Dropkin had to wait out Scotland’s 9-6 win over Australia in another placement match to clinch a spot in Italy.

“It was such a strong field here and we’re proud of the way we played against some of the best teams in the world,” Thiesse said.

The U.S. Olympic trials for the men’s and women’s curling teams are in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in November.

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Americans Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, both from Duluth, have clinched a berth in the 2026 Olympic mixed doubles curling competition. The pair of Minnesotans beat Canada 8-4 at the world championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on Saturday to earn a fifth-place finish that was enough for a spot in Milan-Cortina.

The Duluth entertainment convention center set up for curling

Erica Dischino for MPR News

2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling

Duluth curlers Thiesse and Dropkin earn spot in 2026 Winter Olympics mixed doubles field

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