Cory and Korey: The Curling Duo Captivating Fans—Are They More Than Friends?
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, the dynamic duo of Team USA, have captured attention at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy as they chase a mixed doubles gold medal in curling.
On February 9, they triumphed over the Italian team, securing a spot in the finals during their inaugural Olympic appearance together.
Their partnership began in the 2022-23 curling season, culminating in a gold medal at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. Four years later, their deep-rooted friendship and mutual trust have become essential in navigating the pressures of Olympic competition.
“I trust and believe in her to make anything in front of her,” Korey expressed to The Athletic after Cory executed a crucial final shot that propelled Team USA into the gold medal match. “It was just about executing when it was needed the most.”
As fans speculate about the nature of their relationship, the pair's names and camaraderie have led to questions about whether they are romantically involved. Here’s what you need to know:
Despite the buzz, Cory and Korey are not dating; they are long-time friends who first crossed paths on the junior curling circuit during their teenage years.
Cory wed Sam Thiesse, a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, in 2022. Meanwhile, Korey is engaged to Gabby Tachis, who worked with USA Curling from 2022 to 2024 and is currently a purchasing coordinator for Innovative Office Solutions.
In line with the amateur spirit of the Olympics, both athletes maintain regular jobs. Cory works as a lab technician at North Shore Analytical, a mercury-testing lab, and had to request time off for Olympic competition. Korey is a licensed realtor with RE/MAX Results.
Though they were classmates at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, it wasn’t until years later that they teamed up. Cory hails from Duluth, while Korey moved from Southborough, Massachusetts, to Minnesota in 2013 to pursue his curling ambitions.
“Korey and I have been really good friends for a long time,” Cory shared with the Duluth News Tribune in 2023. “Both of us living in Duluth, it works out well that we’re able to practice together. It seemed like a good fit and I was ready to try something new, and it worked out.”
Before their Olympic debut, Cory and Korey spent four years competing together, clinching World Mixed Doubles championships in both 2023 and 2025.
Their victory in 2023 marked Team USA's first-ever gold in this event, defeating Japan in the final. Although they faced setbacks the following year by failing to qualify after losing at the U.S. Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, they rebounded in 2025, finishing fifth—enough to secure their place at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
