Stefania Constantini: Italian Curling Star Faces Semi-Final Heartbreak in Cortina
London, 10 February 2026 – The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has seen its hometown hero, Stefania Constantini, navigate a week of intense pressure and high-stakes competition. Constantini, who famously worked as a saleswoman at a North Face store in Cortina before her rise to international stardom, entered the games as the defending Olympic and World Champion in mixed doubles alongside partner Amos Mosaner. While the duo displayed the form that led to their historic 2022 gold, their quest for a consecutive Olympic title was halted yesterday in a dramatic semi-final clash against the United States.
Olympic Title Defence and Semi-Final Results
The Italian pair began their campaign under immense local scrutiny at the Cortina curling stadium. Their tournament was marked by significant milestones, including the end of a remarkable 22-match international winning streak following a loss to Canada earlier in the week. Despite this setback, Constantini and Mosaner rallied to secure a place in the knockout stages.
On Monday, 9 February 2026, Italy faced the American duo of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin in the mixed doubles semi-finals. In a tightly contested match, Constantini produced a precise draw to the button in the third end to take an early lead. However, the American team capitalised on late-game opportunities, securing a 9-8 victory on the final shot. The result means Italy will not defend their gold medal in the final, while the United States advances to face Sweden for the Olympic title.
Key Facts: Stefania Constantini
As one of the most decorated curlers in Italian history, Constantini’s career is defined by breaking new ground for her nation in winter sports.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stefania Constantini |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Hometown | Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 1 (Beijing 2022, Mixed Doubles) |
| World Championships | Gold (2025, Mixed Doubles) |
| European Championships | Silver (2023), Bronze (2017) |
| Playing Partner | Amos Mosaner |
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Stefania Constantini win gold at the 2026 Olympics?
No. While she entered the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games as the defending champion, Constantini and partner Amos Mosaner were defeated 9-8 by the United States in the semi-finals on 9 February 2026.
What was Constantini’s profession before curling professionally?
Before her gold-medal success at the Beijing 2022 Games, Constantini worked as a saleswoman at The North Face store on the Corso Italia in Cortina d’Ampezzo. She maintained this role until shortly before her professional sports career became her primary focus.
Who defeated Italy in the 2026 mixed doubles tournament?
Italy’s 22-match winning streak was first broken by Canada (Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant) during the round-robin stage. They were later eliminated from gold medal contention by the United States (Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin) in the semi-finals.