Mixed Doubles Champ Korey Dropkin Eyes A Second Ticket To Milan At Curling Trials

When Korey Dropkin watched the U.S. men’s curling team make history at the Olympic Winter Games Torino 2006 — becoming the first American squad to win an Olympic medal (bronze) — he was just 10 years old, a kid in the basement of his parents’ Massachusetts home, witnessing the spark of a lifelong dream. Nearly two decades later, that dream has come full circle: the Duluth-based skip is now preparing to head to Italy as an Olympian himself.

“It’s a relief to be able to call myself an Olympian,” Dropkin says with a grin that still carries a hint of disbelief. “It means everything. It’s what I’ve been dreaming about since I was 10 years old.”

Having already clinched his spot at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in mixed doubles curling with his partner, Cory Thiesse, his season isn’t over yet. He is currently competing in the 2026 U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials - Curling, where — for the first time — both the curling and wheelchair curling trials are being held together and streamed live on Peacock.

For Dropkin, that meant another chance to chase an Olympic berth in the men’s event, the one that had slipped away from him twice before.

Dropkin’s men’s team — a talented squad that had narrowly missed Olympic qualification in both 2018 and 2022 — is gearing up for another shot.

But there are advantages and disadvantages to attempting to qualify in two events.

“The pros of doing both are that you’re constantly working on every part of your game,” the 30-year-old says. “But the challenge is finding that balance — making sure you give both teams enough time, not burning yourself out.”

Managing energy is key. “If you play too much and don’t rest enough, you might get to the most important event and just be fried,” Dropkin admits. “I’ve definitely done that before. So now I’m more careful — taking weekends off, spending time outdoors with my animals, my fiancée, just mentally refreshing.”

If he does make it in both events, he knows it will be a marathon in Milan.

“It’ll be a long month for sure,” he says with a laugh. “But this is what we train for. That’s why we work so hard in the gym and take care of our bodies.”

Dropkin’s rise hasn’t come without heartbreak. Twice before, he’s come within a game of qualifying for the Olympics with his men’s team — once falling to none other than John Shuster, the man from those 2006 Games whose Olympic success inspired him as a kid.

Team Dropkin is currently battling Team Shuster, with the top two teams set to face off in a best-of-three final to determine who will earn the chance to play for Team USA in Milan.

“I’ve had my fair share of big losses,” Dropkin remembers. “As defeating and disappointing as they were, I learned a lot about myself. How to react, how to stay positive, how to not let the moment get too big.”

One lesson came from a crucial shot in the 2021 Trials, a moment he still replays sometimes.

“We had a chance for a big end against Shuster — a tough double for five. Instead, I took the risk, missed, and gave up a steal of two. It shifted all the momentum. It taught me that I needed to trust my gut, stay in my process, and not get caught up in outcomes.”

Those experiences, he says, shaped him into a calmer, more centered athlete. “Now I focus on throwing one rock at a time. Just being me.”

Heading into trials, he isn’t focused on results. “I just want to put on a great show, play some great curling, and enjoy it. It’s a privilege to be in this position. These are moments you have to appreciate.”

Another moment he knows he’ll appreciate is stepping into the Olympic Village in Milan. “I’m going to have goosebumps,” he shares. “Those are moments I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. It’s going to be surreal — emotional, for sure.” He plans to savor every bit of it: “I’m just going to take it all in,” he said.

“It’s kind of wild,” Dropkin shares about the fact that the upcoming Games are in Italy, “because that’s where I first fell in love with curling — watching Shuster and Team USA win bronze in Torino. And now I get to go back to the same country to live that dream. It feels full circle.”

After the Olympics, he says he has one promise to keep — to his fiancée.

“She loves Disneyland,” he says, laughing. “I told her we’d go after the Olympics. She sacrifices so much for me to live this dream, so that’s definitely on the agenda.”

But for now, he is focused on the rings — Olympic rings. Whether he leaves Italy with gold or simply the experience, he knows the journey will have been worth it.

“My ultimate dream is to stand on that podium, hearing the national anthem,” he admits. “That would mean the world. But no matter what happens, this will be a dream lived — and something I’ll carry with me forever.”