Rebecca Morrison Navigates Early Olympic Curling Setbacks

CORTINA (Azat TV) – Team GB’s women’s curling squad, led by skip Sophie Jackson and featuring Rebecca Morrison, is working to find its footing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy, facing early challenges in the demanding round-robin phase. Despite opening defeats to China and South Korea, the team remains optimistic about its chances to advance in the competition.

The British quartet, which also includes Jennifer Dodds and Fay Henderson, commenced their Olympic campaign with a 7-4 loss to China. This was followed by a 9-3 defeat against South Korea, placing immediate pressure on the team to secure crucial wins in their upcoming matches. With nine round-robin games in total, the team likely needs five or six victories to qualify for the medal rounds, according to TeamGB.com.

Rebecca Morrison’s Olympic Journey Underway

For 29-year-old Rebecca Morrison, the experience marks a significant milestone, as she makes her Olympic debut. Despite the initial results, Morrison expressed immense pride and excitement about competing on the world stage. “It was absolutely amazing,” she stated following their first game against China. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I have been waiting for this. It’s absolutely amazing to finally be able to say I’ve played on Olympic ice.” Morrison emphasized the team’s high spirits and positive mindset, noting that they often build into championships.

Team GB Seeks to Turn Curling Fortunes

The women’s curling team arrived in Italy with a strong pedigree, having secured a European silver medal last November and finishing sixth at the World Championships. However, the Olympic stage presents a unique test. Jennifer Dodds is the sole remaining member from the triumphant rink that claimed gold at the Beijing Games four years ago, bringing invaluable experience to the current squad. Dodds, affectionately nicknamed “the granny” by her teammates, offers guidance on ice conditions and maintaining composure under pressure.

“We always say that’s when we play our best is when we’re relaxing and enjoying it, and that’s what we did tonight,” Dodds advised after the opening match. “We just need to keep doing that, and that’s my advice.”

Skip Sophie Jackson echoed this sentiment of resilience, despite the team’s current position. “We had a really strong start, so that was really positive,” Jackson commented after the South Korea match. She acknowledged that the team struggled after falling behind but maintained a positive outlook. “We’re still feeling really positive, we’re making loads of shots, so I’m just trying to build from that now.”

Upcoming Challenges for the British Curlers

Team GB’s schedule remains rigorous, with several critical matches ahead. After facing Canada on February 14, they are set to compete against Sweden on February 15, followed by Denmark and Switzerland on February 16. Further matches include the United States and Japan on February 18, and Italy again on February 19. These games will be crucial for the team to accumulate the necessary wins to qualify for the semifinals, scheduled for February 20, with medal matches on February 21 and 22.

Morrison remains confident in the team’s ability to perform. “Every team here is a tough team, we like to think that we are too,” she said. “We need to come out and show that. We are close, some of our shots are not far away and at this level you get punished. Hopefully we can bring that energy tomorrow and flip it around and do the punishing.”

The early Olympic curling matches highlight the intensity of competition, where even highly-ranked teams face immediate pressure to perform, underscoring the fine margins separating victory from defeat at this elite level.