OLYMPICS: Curling-Sweden's Isabella Wranaa delighted after winning gold on Games debut

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy – Isabella Wranaa’s Olympic debut could not have gone any better. The Swedish curler celebrated in style after winning mixed doubles gold alongside her brother Rasmus at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Tuesday.

The Wranaa siblings, who were world champions in 2024, defeated the United States pair of Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse 6-5, securing Sweden’s first Olympic gold in mixed doubles curling.

“It’s been great,” Isabella said. “It’s everything—from the fans, the atmosphere, the village, and obviously the results. It’s everything I ever dreamed of, and I’m very happy.”

She added, “You’ve got to soak it in. It’s not every day we play curling in front of such a great crowd. You have to take in the atmosphere, but also stay focused and maintain calm communication between us. I felt we did that really well today.”

For Rasmus, this marked his second Olympic gold medal, having won previously in Beijing, along with a silver at Pyeongchang 2018 as part of Niklas Edin’s men’s team.

“First of all, to have played so well with my sister,” said the 31-year-old. “Then it’s just amazing that we can reach out not only to Sweden but all over the world, for people to see curling and maybe even want to start playing it. That’s what means the most to us.”

Rasmus will have little time to enjoy the victory, with the men’s competition starting Wednesday and Sweden facing Italy in their first match.

“I’m soaking it in right now. Soon we’ll have a small celebration and then time for bed,” he said. -Reporting by Aadi NairEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters