Bruce Mouat Leads Team GB into Winter Olympic Semi-Finals After Dramatic Qualification
London, 19 February 2026 – Bruce Mouat and his men’s curling rink have secured a place in the semi-finals of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, following a tense round-robin stage that saw the British side rely on external results to keep their medal hopes alive. Despite a mixed run of form in the opening matches, a dominant 9-2 victory over the United States and a favourable result in the Switzerland-Italy fixture have cleared the path for the reigning world champions to compete for a place in the final.
A “Great Escape” in Cortina d’Ampezzo
The journey to the final four has been uncharacteristically turbulent for Mouat’s squad, consisting of Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, and Hammy McMillan Jr. After suffering a “disaster” opening end in a loss to Italy and a shock 8-6 defeat by Norway, the team found themselves in “must-win” territory. Mouat admitted to “watching through his fingers” as the team’s fate was decided by the final round-robin matches on Thursday.
The turning point arrived with a clinical performance against the USA, where Mouat delivered a superb double take-out to secure a 9-2 win. Qualification was finally confirmed when Switzerland defeated Italy, ensuring Great Britain’s progression. They are now scheduled to face Switzerland tonight in a high-stakes rematch of the 2025 World Championship final.
The Unstoppable Rise of Bruce Mouat
Born in Edinburgh and representing the Gogar Park Curling Club, Bruce Mouat has established himself as one of the most successful skips in the history of the sport. Since becoming the youngest skip to win a Grand Slam title in 2017, he has led his rink to global dominance, including a silver medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympics and two World Championship titles.
Key Facts: Bruce Mouat
The following table outlines the career milestones and personal details of the Scottish skip as of February 2026.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bruce Mouat |
| Date of Birth | 27 August 1994 |
| Birthplace | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Olympic Medals | Silver (Beijing 2022) |
| World Titles | Gold (2023, 2025) |
| European Titles | Four (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023) |
| Current Residence | Stirling, Scotland |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in Bruce Mouat’s Olympic curling team?
The Team GB men’s rink for the 2026 Winter Olympics features Bruce Mouat (Skip), Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, and Hammy McMillan Jr.
What happened in the match against the USA?
Team GB secured a vital 9-2 victory against the United States. The match was highlighted by a superb double take-out by Mouat in the sixth end, which effectively ended the American challenge and kept British medal hopes alive.
Is Bruce Mouat the first openly gay world champion in curling?
Yes. Bruce Mouat became the first openly gay curler to be crowned a world champion when he led his team to gold in 2023. He has since become a prominent role model for LGBTQ+ visibility in international sport.
When is the next match for Team GB?
Following their qualification, Team GB are set to face Switzerland in the semi-finals on the evening of 19 February 2026.