MILAN, ITALY – The United States moved one step closer to a historic result Monday, defeating China 7–6 in the final round robin match of the first wheelchair curling mixed doubles competition in Paralympic history at Milano Cortina 2026.

The victory sends Laura Dwyer and Steve Emt into the semifinals and gives the United States a chance to equal its best Paralympic wheelchair curling finish. The U.S. previously placed fourth in the mixed team event at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

The result also ended China’s unbeaten run in round robin play. The Americans finished 4–3 to advance with China, the Republic of Korea and Latvia into the playoffs.

“They’re the best team here and probably the best team in the world right now,” Emt said of China. “And if we want to be the best team in the world, we’ve got to beat the best team in the world. And we just did it.”

Early Control

The United States built an early advantage behind a strong opening sequence. Holding the hammer in the first end, Dwyer and Emt scored a single point. China then carried the hammer in the second end, but the Americans applied pressure in the house and with well-placed throws managed to steal two points, taking a 3–0 lead.

China looked to respond in the third end, but the Americans controlled the house with takeouts and precise placement behind guards.

China’s final stone in the end clipped a guard and rolled away from the scoring area. A measurement followed to determine the scoring stone, with the United States stealing one more point to extend the lead to 4–0.

China Answers With Power Play

China shifted momentum in the fourth end by using its power play to move the pre-positioned stones into a more offensively favorable setup.

With several guards in place and multiple Chinese stones spread across the house, the United States struggled to remove the scoring threats, opting to put a stone on the button which China took out. China converted the opportunity, scoring four points to tie the match 4–4 at the halfway break.

The turnaround forced the Americans to regroup during the mid-game pause. Dwyer and Emt used the break to refuel and discuss strategy with coach Pete Annis.

Back-and-Forth Battle

The United States held the hammer in the fifth end and appeared positioned to score multiple points after Emt delivered a stone to the button, creating traffic in the house. China’s final stone slipped into scoring position, and Dwyer’s last attempt narrowly nudged the American stone away, resulting in a steal for China and a 5–4 lead.

China added another stolen point in the sixth end to extend the advantage to 6–4.

Despite the shift in momentum, Emt said the Americans stayed focused on the situation in front of them.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel it,” Emt said of the tension late in the game. “This is what we trained for. We’ve been working with sports psychology and mental health services and USA Curling to prepare for these moments.”

Late Rally

Facing a two-point deficit, the United States used its power play in the seventh end.

China placed guards across the front of the house, forcing the Americans to carefully navigate traffic. After a mid-end timeout with coach Annis, the U.S. pair worked stones into scoring position. Dwyer’s final delivery curled into the button to score two and tie the match 6–6.

Emt said the Americans believed they could regain control of the game in that moment.

“We just had to score at least one in the seventh because we had confidence in Laura’s first stone in the eighth,” Emt said. “She was going to lock one in there. And she made an incredible draw.”

China carried the hammer into the final end, putting the pressure on the Americans to steal.

Both teams traded takeouts as the house cleared. Emt delivered a guard that protected the American position while China attempted to open a scoring lane with its next to last stone.

China’s last shot carried too much weight and slid through the house, leaving the United States with the shot stone and sealing a 7–6 win with a steal in the eighth end.

Dwyer said the final moment came down to trusting the preparation the pair had built throughout the season.

“We knew what we had to do,” Dwyer said. “We had to throw the draw with the weight to the broom. And I know how to do that.”

Up Next

The win moves the pair into the semi-finals and keeps the United States in medal contention in the first Paralympic mixed doubles wheelchair curling tournament.