DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues and RCB captain Smriti Mandhana during a press conference ahead of the WPL 2026 final T20 cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, Kotambi in Vadodara, Gujarat. (PTI Photo)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana has a chance to lead her team to a second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title and draw level with Mumbai Indians (MI) in terms of trophies, while the Delhi Capitals (DC) will look to end their run of final defeats when the two sides meet in the final on Thursday.RCB, champions in 2024, have had a strong campaign this season. They have often responded well in difficult situations and showed consistency early, becoming the first team in WPL history to start a season with five straight wins. Throughout the tournament, different players have stepped up at key moments to shape results.In the previous match, Grace Harris played a major role with 75 against UP Warriorz, helping RCB to an eight-wicket win after a mixed season. Earlier, Gautami Naik scored 73 against Gujarat Giants, which proved crucial in a 61-run victory. RCB will now aim to win their second title and match Mumbai Indians’ tally.The RCB batting unit, including Mandhana, Harris, Georgia Voll and Richa Ghosh, has not been consistent across the season, but timely contributions have often been enough. In the bowling department, pacers Nadine de Klerk and Sayali Satghare have delivered important spells.De Klerk is currently the third-highest wicket-taker of the season with 15 wickets from eight matches, including a best of 4 for 22. Spinner Shreyanka Patil has also played a key role, highlighted by her five-wicket haul against Gujarat Giants.RCB’s strength has been their ability to perform as a unit at key moments. Mandhana will hope more players contribute in the final as they take on Delhi Capitals.Delhi Capitals, led this season by Jemimah Rodrigues, are chasing their first WPL title after finishing runners-up in all the previous three editions.Their campaign has been driven largely by their bowling attack. Pacers Chinelle Henry and Nandani Sharma have made early inroads with the new ball. Nandani has taken 16 wickets this season, making her the second-highest wicket-taker, and her performances have put her in contention for higher honours.Delhi’s batting has also shown improvement in recent matches. Lizelle Lee contributed at the top in the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants, while Shafali Verma found form and added a half-century stand with Lee. Laura Wolvaardt has provided stability at the top order through the season.With both batting and bowling influenced by South African players, the Capitals have benefited from a group that has played together for several years. That understanding could help them in the final as they look to end their title wait under Rodrigues, who will be hoping for a strong performance after a quiet season so far.
After months of speculation, Panarin was finally dealt to the LA Kings on Wednesday. As part of the transaction, the Blueshirts received forward prospect Liam Greentree along with a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
Artemi Panarin waived his full no-movement clause to join the Kings, while the Rangers retained 50% of his salary, as he was in the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract. Panarin signed a two-year, $22 million extension ($11M AAV) with the Kings immediately after the trade.
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Many Rangers fans on X (formerly called Twitter) were furious with the return they received in the deal. One tweeted:
“What a f****** disgrace. Chris Drury is the worst GM of all time. Fire him for his sabotage. f*** Chris Drury.”
@NYRangers WHAT A FUCKING DISGRACE CHIRS DRURY IS THE WORST GM OF ALL TIME FIRE HIM FOR HIS SABOTAGE FUCK CHRIS DRURY
“We don’t care. Fire your GM. He sucks,” another opined.
“What a garbage return. Well, that should be Drury’s job. He needs to be the next one out the door. Wishing Panarin all the best wherever he goes. I hope Drury has screwed the NYR faithful for the last time,” another chimed in.
LA Kings GM shares his thoughts on Artemi Panarin’s trade
Following the trade, LA Kings GM Ken Holland addressed the media to share his thoughts. He said that Artemi Panarin did not want to be a rental and that the Kings are happy he waived his no-movement clause for LA.
“Obviously, we made the deal today to make our team better,” Kings general manager Ken Holland said via NHL.com. “We signed him to a two-year extension. We weren’t going to do it as a rental. He didn’t want to go anywhere as a rental. He wanted to find a home, so we’re thrilled that he wanted to waive the no-trade (clause) to come to LA.”
He added:
“We’re happy that we were able to get him to a two-year extension, and after two years, I’m hoping that we’re working on another extension, but (I’ll) worry about that down the road.”
Artemi Panarin spent seven seasons with the Rangers. He has accumulated 57 points through 19 goals and 38 assists in 52 games, making him the leading scorer for the Blueshirts this season.
City progressed to meet Arsenal at Wembley on 22 March by beating Newcastle 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, and 5-1 on aggregate.
But defender Guehi, a £20m buy from Crystal Palace, was not allowed to play as he was not signed in time for the first leg, which also rules him out of the final.
He said: “Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup [EFL] that Marc Guehi can play the final. I don’t understand why he cannot play the final. Hopefully we make a letter. You buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play for a rule I don’t understand. Hopefully they can change it. You hire a player and he can be disposed the next day. Hopefully we can convince the biggest teams. It is difficult to understand.”
Guardiola’s other January buy, Antoine Semenyo, played in the competition for Bournemouth this season but arrived before the meeting with Newcastle at St James’ Park, in which he played and scored.
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And Guardiola is struggling to understand why Guehi, who joined from Crystal Palace on 19 January, is treated differently.
And he added: “Apparently Marc cannot play the second leg because he didn’t play the first. And Antoine arrived before the first so could play. And now it’s the final. Why should he not play? Why not? We pay his salary, he is our player. It’s like the Champions League, the last two games [of the league phase they] cannot play and we have another player.
Pep Guardiola does not think his appeal for Guehi to be allowed to play in the final will be successful (Getty Images)
“I said to the club, they have to ask, definitely. I don’t understand the reason why he cannot play in the final in March, when I have been here for a long time. The rules to buy a player depends on Fifa, Uefa, the Premier League who say, OK the transfer window is open, when you buy a player you have to play, no? It’s logic. Of course we are going to try to ask [for] him to play. Pure logic.”
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Guardiola said he does not expect his appeal to succeed, adding: “No, but we will try.”
But he believes England international Guehi, who lifted the FA Cup as Palace captain last year, will have plenty more opportunities to win silverware in a City shirt.
“We will play a lot [of finals],” he explained. “He is so young. He came to a team that will play in the next years a lot of finals. No doubt about that.”
Sep 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings don’t necessarily have oodles of spending money on hand for free agency, but if they find some, the organization has a clear connection to New York Jets running back Breece Hall. Before joining the Vikings in 2025, new offensive line coach Keith Carter served as the Jets’ run game coordinator, and it really doesn’t get any closer to Hall than that from a coach’s perspective.
If Minnesota wants more juice from the ground game, Hall fits the profile, and he has a previous connection to the Vikings’ new OL coach.
Hall won’t be cheap, but Minnesota has a real shot at landing his services if interim general manager Rob Brzezinski is in the mood.
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A New Decision Looms in the Vikings’ Backfield
It’s another name for your Vikings’ free-agent bingo board.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall lowers his shoulder while navigating traffic at MetLife Stadium, captured during first-half action on Sep 29, 2024, as Denver’s Nik Bonitto closes in. The play reflects Hall’s balance and burst through contact, a consistent trait in his workload-heavy role within the Jets’ offense. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Hall to MIN with Carter Promoted?
Carter drew scorn on social media from former Tennessee Titans players a while back, but that didn’t stop the Vikings from hiring him as an assistant offensive line coach last offseason. And when the 2026 offseason rolled around, head coach Kevin O’Connell opted not to retain main offensive line coach Chris Kuper.
That put Carter in the driver’s seat to earn the top OL job in Minnesota, which he fulfilled last week.
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From 2022 to 2023, Carter was in charge of the Jets’ rushing offense, a group highlighted by Hall. Fast forward to 2026 free agency, and Hall is a free agent, expected to command about $10 million to $12 million on the open market.
So long as Hall doesn’t share any of the aforementioned resentment toward Carter and his alleged grueling practices, there’s a path for Hall to land in Minnesota via free agency. Most other Hall suitors won’t have his former coach on staff.
Hall’s Career to Date
Hall’s resume starts with availability, which matters more at running back than almost anywhere else. Outside of a rookie year injury, he’s been consistently on the field, a rarity at RB. Over four seasons, the production has followed: 681 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022, 1,585 and 9 in 2023, 1,359 and 8 in 2024, then 1,415 yards with 5 scores in 2025. He’s sitting on a 4.5 yards-per-carry career average.
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Minnesota, though, would draw little pushback if it found a way to add him. The Vikings know what that level of output looks like, but the money is tight. That matters, especially with more than $20 million already tied up in the running back room through Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. That’s significant money for the RB spot.
The 2025 rushing attack was serviceable, but it never dominated opponents. O’Connell leaned pass-heavy even when quarterback play faltered, and the ground game never forced defenses to adjust. The draft remains the cleanest long-term answer, yet Hall offers something different: certainty. He’s not a rookie, and he removes draft guesswork. Minnesota would onboard a sure thing in Hall.
Sportsnaut‘s Andrew Buller-Hall on Hall to MIN: “The Vikings should make a strong play for free agent Breece Hall this offseason. Minnesota could have an inside line to signing Hall after promoting OL coach Keith Carter, Hall’s running game coordinator from 2023 to 2024. Yet, other teams will surely have interest in Hall after he compiled a career-high 1,065 rushing yards this season.”
“Hall’s longest rush this season went for 59 yards, and he averaged 4.4 yards per carry. He’d also help replace Jones in the passing game, giving Vikings QBs another option out of the backfield. He’d surely be an upgrade over Jones, especially if the Vikings can still pair Hall with Mason to form an extremely effective 1-2 punch. Not only would that duo help take pressure off whoever plays QB for the Vikings in 2026, it might be one of the best rushing tandems in the NFL.”
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Getting Serious about Fixing the Rushing Offense
These are the numbers for the Vikings’ rushing offense since the arrival of O’Connell four years ago:
O’Connell has never featured a game-changing running back. Dalvin Cook had begun his age-related decline in 2022. Alexander Mattison stunk in 2023. Ty Chandler and Cam Akers are backup tailbacks. Aaron Jones represented a refreshingly productive alternative, but he’s over the age of 30. Jordan Mason is a wonderful roster piece, but is more of a mid-tier RB1 — or elite RB2.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall accelerates upfield after securing a pass at MetLife Stadium, shown in early action on Sep 24, 2023, against New England. The moment highlights Hall’s versatility as a receiver, turning short touches into chunk gains while stressing linebackers and safeties in space. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
It’s time for O’Connell — now a de facto general manager, too — to sign Hall or draft a high-round rookie running back. Don’t leave it until Round 5 for half-measured solutions.
Other Options if Not Hall
For the sake of argument, let’s assume Minnesota will pursue a free-agent running back, but Hall is not interested in the Vikings. These high-profile halfbacks are also scheduled to test free agency:
JK Dobbins
Travis Etienne
Isiah Pacheco
Kenneth Walker
Rachaad White
Javonte Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. jogs across the field during pregame warmups at EverBank Stadium, framed ahead of kickoff on Dec 15, 2024. The image captures Etienne’s readiness and routine as Jacksonville prepared its offensive personnel, emphasizing tempo and focus before divisional competition at home. Mandatory Credit: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
That’s about seven prominent free agents and arguably 5-6 rookie running backs who could move the needle as an RB1.
Now, it’s up to Minnesota to decide if these options are wiser than Jones + Mason again in 2026.
The NCAA denied an appeal for a sixth year of eligibility filed by Ole Miss on behalf of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Brandon Marcello reported on Wednesday. The NCAA previously denied Chambliss’ waiver request for an additional season in January. Ole Miss appealed the decision and the NCAA informed the school of its decision — another denial — on Wednesday.
Chambliss, who after transferring from Division II Ferris State led Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals, sought a medical redshirt for the 2022 season when he played in only two games. The waiver was denied by the NCAA athletics eligibility subcommittee, a decision Ole Miss called “indefensible.”
“The NCAA athletics eligibility subcommittee’s decision to deny Trinidad’s appeal is indefensible in light of the undisputed facts,” Ole Miss said in a statement. “The NCAA staff and the subcommittee asserted that Trinidad was not denied the opportunity to compete during the 2022 season, despite the reality that he did not dress for a single game while suffering from severe, incapacitating medical conditions. Those conditions were fully and contemporaneously documented by his treating physician, yet this waiver request was still denied when it should have been approved at the NCAA staff level”
On Jan. 16, Chambliss filed a lawsuit against the NCAA for a temporary and permanent injunction that would allow him to play another season for the Rebels. Chambliss’ case will be heard on Feb. 12 at the Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Mississippi. CBS Sports reported last month that there is optimism around the football program that Chambliss will eventually be granted an injunction, which would clear the path for him to play in 2026.
“Trinidad’s representatives will continue to pursue all available legal remedies, and we will publicly stand behind Trinidad while holding the NCAA accountable for a decision that fails to align with its own rules, precedent, and the documented medical record,” Ole Miss said.
The legal team for Chambliss criticized the NCAA’s waiver process and claimed their client was “never going to receive fair and good faith consideration of Ole Miss’ request for an additional season of eligibility from the National Collegiate Athletics Association.”
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Notably, Ole Miss and Chambliss agreed on a deal last month — contingent on the NCAA accepting his eligibility waiver for a sixth year — that would see him return as the starting quarterback. Chambliss, who didn’t begin the season as the Rebels’ starting quarterback and eventually won the job from Austin Simmons, guided the program to an 11-1 regular-season record and College Football Playoff wins over Tulane and Georgia before a 31-27 loss to Miami in the semifinals.
With Chambliss’ eligibility in limbo, the Rebels signed former blue-chip quarterback recruit Deuce Knight, an Auburn transfer. Knight would be the projected starter for Ole Miss in 2026 if Chambliss is unable to return to college. Ole Miss also signed Louisiana transfer Walker Howard. Howard had a previous stint at Ole Miss after beginning his career at LSU.
Spire Motorsports driver Daniel Suarez’s wife, Julia Piquet, called out NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi over a misquoted radio message. Suarez is currently competing in the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and had a few run-ins with his former teammate, Shane van Gisbergen. Following that, according to Piquet, Bianchi misquoted a message from Suarez.
The Mexican driver and the Kiwi driver were once teammates and are now enemies. They both drove for Trackhouse Racing, and now Suarez pilots the #7 for Spire Motorsports, while Gisbergen still drives the #97 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse. The 34-year-old has been making his debut with Spire and is in the mood for a fight.
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Following that, during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Daniel Suarez had a heated moment with his former teammate SVG. Reflecting on that, the #97 driver commented on Suarez:
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“Is the 7 (Daniel Suarez) beefing with everyone?”
Continuing further, the Spire Motorsports driver issued a warning to Shane van Gisbergen. But Jordan Bianchi misquoted the radio message in his X post and wrote:
“I’m going to kick his f***ing ass. Tell (SVG) I’m coming for him.”
Upon stumbling upon that, Julia Piquet was not impressed by his mistake and called him out, sharing an X post along with the full quote. She wrote:
“If you’re going to quote drivers at least be accurate. First part was referring to the sh*t BW was pulling after the caution came out. He actually said “tell the 23 spotter if he pulls that sh*t one more time I’m going to kick his a**.” And then he said “I’m coming for the 97.””
Daniel Suarez joined Trackhouse Racing in 2021 and spent five seasons with the team piloting the #99 Chevy. He secured two wins, 16 top-five finishes, 43 top-ten finishes, and one pole position in 180 starts. He parted ways with the team after wrapping the 2025 season, and NASCAR prodigy Connor Zilisch replaced him.
“I’m not sad for this”: When Daniel Suarez opened up about his exit from Trackhouse Racing
In July 2025, NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez appeared in an interview with SiriusXM. During the conversation, the former Trackhouse Racing driver opened up about his exit from the team, along with his future plans.
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The Cup Series team initially fielded two cars with Ross Chastain in the #1 Chevy and Suarez in the #99. However, Trackhouse Racing acquired another charter from Stewart-Haas Racing and added one more entry with Shane van Gisbergen in the #88 Chevy.
Later, Daniel Suarez claimed he was not sad about his departure and was mentally prepared for the decision. He further told the press:
“I want to make sure that you guys and all the people listening (know) I’m not sad for this. This is just a new chapter. That’s all it is. This is not a sad moment, it’s just a change.”
Daniel Suarez wrapped the 2025 Cup Series season in P29. He secured two top-five finishes at the spring Las Vegas Motor Speedway race and fall Daytona International Speedway race. Additionally, Suarez clinched seven top-ten finishes in 36 starts.
On Wednesday, the organization announced that former health insurance executive Terry Clark will take over as CEO on March 2. Derek Sprague resigned from the position on January 7 to spend more time with his family.
Clark has served as an independent director on the PGA of America’s board since 2024. He spent 20 years at United Health Group, where he rose to the role of Chief Marketing Officer. He has also served on boards for the YMCA and the Special Olympics.
“Golf is a game with a rare and enduring impact on individuals, families, and communities, and the PGA of America sits at the center of that influence,” Clark said in a statement. “Our greatest strength is our PGA of America Golf Professionals — trusted leaders in their communities who introduce, teach, and grow the game in every corner of the world. At an important moment for golf, we have the right people, the right assets, and a meaningful opportunity to lead with purpose.”
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PGA of America vice president Nathan Charnes, who will become president in November, said that Clark earned the board’s trust with his long track record of judgment and leadership.
“As an independent director, Terry has developed a first-hand understanding of our strategic priorities and the critical role PGA of America Golf Professionals play at every level of the game,” Charnes said. “He brings a proven ability to lead complex organizations with clarity and rigor, while fostering collaboration and accountability across diverse stakeholders. At a time when continuity, stability, and long-term focus are essential, the Board is confident Terry is the right leader to guide the Association forward and continue advancing the game in meaningful and sustainable ways.”
The PGA of America will be under the spotlight again in May when the PGA Championship takes place at Aronimink outside of Philadelphia. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be contested in June at Hazeltine.
Now in its 91st edition, the WM Phoenix Open has a storied history. Before the tournament became the “Greatest Show on Grass” at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course in 1987, the Tour stop called the Phoenix Country Club home — a course (and club) older than Arizona’s statehood.
Phoenix Country Club was founded in 1899, while Arizona became the United States’ 48th state more than two decades later, in 1912. Located in the middle of downtown Phoenix, Phoenix Country Club remains an integral and vibrant part of the WM Phoenix Open’s history to this day, with a star-studded list of champions that includes Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Billy Casper and Johnny Miller.
The club hasn’t changed much over the years either. While it includes every modern amenity, there are no tee times. Instead, every day’s tee sheet is first-come, first-served — in person. But members can also opt to participate in nearly a dozen standing money games each week, some of which have existed for decades.
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“It’s amazing — the history of the place, the amount of players, the tournament history — and yet the size of the golf course hasn’t changed,” said Phoenix Country head professional Paul Griffin. “It still holds its own to this day.”
In Episode 2 of Destination GOLF: Phoenix, our editors explore the WM Phoenix Open’s origins at Phoenix Country Club and its tenure at modern-day host, TPC Scottsdale, where it continues to be the PGA Tour’s most-attended tournament each year. We hear from the Thunderbirds, the philanthropic organization that puts on the WM Phoenix Open every year, as well as from tournament fans like you, about just what makes the WM Phoenix Open so beloved.
The grand takeaway? The tournament is truly an event unlike any other. To experience a slice of the WM Phoenix Open’s illustrious history, take a look at the second episode of Destination GOLF: Phoenix below. Missed Episode 1 on Phoenix public golf? Catch up by clicking here.
This feature video also is available on our YouTube channel. Check it out and subscribe to our channel here.
Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.
The easiest ways to shoot lower scores for most recreational golfers come from fixing fundamentals — and the simple ones at that. That means dialing in your grip, ball position, aim, posture, etc. It may not be fun to work on these things, but getting them in a consistent place will do wonders for your game.
Aim may be the most consequential of these fundamentals once you get to the course. If you aren’t aimed where you think you are, you’re putting yourself in a poor position before you even swing the club.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve hit a terrible shot on the course only to discover you were aimed directly where you hit it. Sometimes, our brain will play tricks on us and make you feel like you’re aimed one way, when in reality you are aligned in a totally different spot.
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If that sounds like you, watch the video below. It’ll teach you an easy trick for alignment so you never have to worry about where you’re aimed again.
Try this aim trick
There are only two areas where you get to place your ball before you hit a shot (assuming you’re playing it down): the green and the tee box. When you’re on the green, you always line up your ball when you place it down, so why not do the same thing on the tee box?
When I go to tee up my ball, I always point the logo or my sharpie line down my target line. It doesn’t have to be super precise, but by having that line pointed down my target line, I can take my stance with confidence knowing I’m aimed properly.
If you want to get your ball lined up even more precisely, try choosing an intermediate target in between your ball and the distant target. I like finding a discoloration in the grass or divot and then using that as my intermediate target. With that spot picked out, I line my ball up pointing right at it.
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When you are having trouble with your aim, sometimes you’ll put the ball down aimed correctly only to find that when you step up to the ball it feels all wrong. That’s ok! So long as you orient the ball correctly when you place it, you can swing away knowing you’re aimed at your target.
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The 2026 Winter Olympics sports program opened with the first curling matches scheduled in Italy‘s Cortina on Wednesday night, two days before the official opening ceremony.
Several hundred spectators watched as eight teams unpacked their equipment in the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
The matches had barely begun when a brief power outage blacked out the scoreboards for the matchups between Sweden and South Korea, Great Britain and Norway, Canada and the Czech Republic, and Estonia and Switzerland.
Curling players slide granite stones toward a circular target called the ‘house’ in an attempt to get closer to the center, or ‘button,’ than their opponentsImage: Jennifer Lorenzini/REUTERS
The officials paused the matches when the lights dimmed and flickered, and when the main lights and heat in the nearby media center went out.
However, the curlers continued sliding on the ice to stay ready, and the fans cheered when the bright lights returned soon after and play resumed.
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The organizers acknowledged the brief interruption to the competition “due to an energy-related issue” and noted that it lasted approximately three minutes.
First Olympic results
The British pair of Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds started their journey with an 8-6 victory over the Norwegians. Sweden, Canada, and Estonia also won their opening matches.
The reigning Olympic champions in the mixed doubles, Italy, will begin their bid for gold against South Korea on Thursday.
The Canadians won their opening match against the CzechsImage: Jennifer Lorenzini/REUTERS
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday will primarily take place at the San Siro football stadium in Milan. Three other venues will host the traditional parade of athletes, reflecting the widespread nature of this year’s Olympics.
The Games will use a variety of existing venues, stretching 350 kilometers (217 miles) across northern Italy from Cortina to Milan.
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