Curlers in Love: Behind the Ice Glares and Heated Arguments of Married Olympic Teams

The Cold Shoulder at the Olympics

On the ice, they flash stony glares, reject high-fives, and exchange heated words that echo through the arena. Off the ice, they share a hotel room, a child, and a long-running love story. Welcome to the world of married mixed doubles curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Among the eight teams vying for gold, three are husband-and-wife duos, and one is a brother-sister pair. The drama is as thick as the ice, and it’s all playing out under the Olympic spotlight. As the semifinals approach, stress levels are peaking, and every stone counts—especially when your partner is also your spouse.

Norway’s ‘Hot Wash’ Ritual

Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten are bronze medalists from Pyeongchang 2018, but their Olympic journey in mixed doubles has been anything but serene. They’ve screamed at each other, exchanged icy looks, and brushed off each other’s gestures of comfort—only to emerge from the rink smiling and insisting it’s all part of the game.

“A little bit of arguing and discussions isn't necessarily bad for us,” Skaslien told the Associated Press. Their secret? A post-match routine they call the “hot wash.” Right after a game, they voice one raw emotion to each other—like “I’m angry” or “I’m pissed”—then spend 30 minutes apart before reconvening for a calm analysis. “Sometimes we are our own worst enemies out there,” Skaslien added. “We have to keep it down and not get over the top, because it can get really messy.”

The couple first connected in 2008 when Skaslien was competing at the European curling championship and Nedregotten was working the ice crew—spotted by her bopping around in a wig. They spoke again at a honky-tonk curling party in spring 2011, and when Skaslien left for an internship, Nedregotten volunteered to “water her plants” (read: moved in). They teamed up in mixed doubles a year later. Their love story is as quirky as their on-ice tension.

Baby on Board: The Swiss and Canadian Families

Yannick Schwaller and Briar Schwaller-Hürlimann of Switzerland are the definition of #CoupleGoals—exchanging quick kisses before matches and winning over the internet with their one-year-old son, River. Dubbed the “Curling Baby” by fans, River became an overnight sensation after photos of him gripping a broom twice his size went viral.

But behind the adorable photos lies a genuine struggle. Briar admitted it breaks her heart to hand River off between games. “After today's game, when I had to give him back, he was crying and it was hard for me,” she said. “That was the first time my mum heart was bleeding.” Yannick, for his part, is honest about their dynamic: “In the past, I was like just really nice and now sometimes I'm not nice. So I need to apologize and everything is good again.”

Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant also brought their young child to the Games. Their coach, Scott Pfeifer, describes them as “both very professional in the way they handle things.” Gallant says communication with his wife is “honestly, always a work in progress.” When it’s flowing, they find their stride—and wins tend to follow.

Love and Sweeping: The Unique Challenge of Married Curling

Mixed doubles curling isn’t like other team sports. There are only two players per side, so every decision—each stone placement, every sweep—requires constant consultation. If you’re married, the disagreements don’t end when the game does. You go home together, win or lose.

Veteran curling commentator Devin Heroux of CBC explains: “There's only two of you. You're on an island. Information sharing, communication and being able to embrace and adapt to the changing conditions will be what allows one of these teams to win gold.”

That dynamic creates a pressure cooker environment that few sports can match. On the ice, voices are raised, commands are barked, and frustration can boil over within seconds. Yet all three married couples insist their relationships emerge stronger. “A little bit of arguing and discussions isn't necessarily bad for us,” Skaslien reiterated.

The Sibling Factor: Sweden’s Wranå Team

Not every Olympic curling partnership is romantic. Sweden’s Rasmus and Isabella Wranå are brother and sister, and their coach, Alison Kreviazuk, finds it easier to manage siblings than spouses. “If you quarrel with your siblings, you find a way back. They're used to that dynamic of maybe play-fighting a little bit,” she said. “Bella can be on the hotter end, and Rasmus is very cool, so it's a good combination.”

The sibling duo grew up as rivals on the ice, but that family bond seems to give them a unique shorthand. When tensions spike, they don’t need the “hot wash” routine—they just know how to bounce back. It’s a different kind of chemistry, but equally compelling to watch.

Curling Drama as Olympic Entertainment

As the 2026 Winter Olympics march on, the mixed doubles curling event is proving to be one of the most human stories of the Games. It’s not just about stones and brooms—it’s about marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and the delicate art of not killing your partner under pressure.

Whether it’s the Norwegians’ fiery exchanges, the Swiss couple’s baby breaks, the Canadians’ quiet professionalism, or the Swedes’ sibling smack talk, the drama is real and relatable. The outcomes are uncertain, but one thing is clear: in mixed doubles curling, love and conflict share the same rink. And for these Olympians, that’s just part of the game.

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