Minnesota REALTOR® Makes Olympic History in Mixed Doubles Curling
When Korey Dropkin is not helping clients buy and sell homes in Minnesota, he is representing Team USA on the Olympic stage.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Dropkin and teammate Cory Thiesse captured the first-ever U.S. Olympic silver medal in mixed doubles curling. The duo defeated defending gold medalist Italy to advance to the finals and then faced Sweden in a gold medal match that came down to the final stone in a dramatic 6-5 finish.
For many Americans, this was a breakthrough moment in one of the Winter Games’ fastest-growing events. For those in Minnesota’s real estate community, it was something even more personal. One of their own had just made history.
As someone whose family roots run deep in Minnesota, this story resonates with me in a special way. My great-great-grandfather founded the town of New Ulm, Minnesota, and curling has long been part of the culture that defines the Midwest. I have always loved the sport, so seeing a Minnesota REALTOR® standing on an Olympic podium feels especially meaningful.
From Minnesota Real Estate to the Olympic Podium
Dropkin, 30, is a real estate professional based in Duluth, Minnesota, affiliated with Superior Shores Group at RE/MAX Results.
Since 2020, he has balanced client appointments, listings, and negotiations with elite training and international curling competition. His Olympic journey began long before 2026. At just 10 years old, he dreamed of becoming an Olympian after watching Team USA compete in Torino in 2006.
“Now 20 years later, we’re competing in Italy at my first ever Winter Olympics,” he said during the Games. “I’ve imagined the podium in my head so many times.”
The silver medal marked a milestone not only for Dropkin personally, but for Team USA. Mixed doubles curling had never before produced an Olympic medal for the United States.
Balancing Two Demanding Careers
At first glance, real estate and Olympic curling may seem worlds apart. In reality, they share striking similarities.
Both require strategy, composure under pressure, sharp communication, and the ability to read changing conditions in real time. On the ice, split-second decisions about angles, weight, and placement determine outcomes. In real estate, timing, negotiation, and market insight drive results.
Minnesota’s winter housing market also aligns practically with curling season. While the competitive calendar intensifies in colder months, real estate activity often slows slightly, allowing Dropkin to focus on training without losing sight of his business responsibilities.
“My RE/MAX Results office, they all know my dream of being an Olympian,” he shared. “So many colleagues in my office have been so gracious and available to help me.”
Clients have been supportive as well, understanding that their REALTOR® is chasing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
A Journey Years in the Making
Dropkin began curling at age five. In 2013, he moved from Massachusetts to Minnesota to pursue higher-level training at the Duluth Curling Club, one of the premier curling communities in the country.
After narrowly missing qualification for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, he partnered with Cory Thiesse. The duo went on to win the first mixed doubles World Championship title for the United States in 2023, setting the stage for their Olympic breakthrough.
Their 2026 silver medal run featured multiple matches decided by the final stone. The margin between teams was razor-thin.
“There are 10 great teams here that could have been sharing that podium,” Dropkin said. “We’re so grateful to be taking home the silver medal.”
Bringing Energy to the Ice
Dropkin’s personality became part of the Olympic storyline.
During competition, he celebrated with fist bumps, animated reactions, and crowd engagement in a sport traditionally known for quiet intensity. CNN even described him as “like a WWE star vamping to the crowd.” His enthusiasm drew attention from fans around the world.
Curlers are miked during matches, allowing audiences to hear real-time strategy and banter. For Dropkin, authenticity was key.
“I love my sport of curling,” he said. “We want to be ourselves on the ice. When I’m loose, energized, and engaging with the crowd, that’s when I play my best.”
As someone who loves curling and grew up connected to Minnesota’s heritage, I find that energy refreshing. Curling is strategic, disciplined, and deeply rooted in community tradition. Seeing it presented with both respect and personality makes the sport even more accessible.
Leadership, Discipline, and Service
Even amid Olympic spotlight, Dropkin never lost sight of his responsibilities as a REALTOR®.
“There’s a great responsibility with being a REALTOR®,” he shared. “I just love being involved in those important decisions in people’s lives.”
That mindset mirrors what I value in real estate as well. Whether in Minnesota or here in California, serving clients means showing up with integrity, preparation, and care.
Dropkin temporarily turned off his phone and social media during the Games to minimize distractions and focus fully on performance. When he powered back on, the support from friends, colleagues, and clients was overwhelming.
His silver medal now places him in Olympic history, but his work continues, both on the ice and in real estate.
Why This Story Matters
Minnesota has always been a place where community, tradition, and resilience matter. From the founding of towns like New Ulm by families like mine to the curling clubs that bring neighbors together every winter, the state’s identity runs deep.
Seeing a Minnesota REALTOR® rise to the Olympic podium in a sport so closely tied to that heritage is more than a headline. It is a reminder that dedication, discipline, and community support can elevate ordinary careers into extraordinary journeys.
Whether selling homes in Duluth or competing in Italy, Korey Dropkin represents something uniquely Minnesotan: steady focus, competitive grit, and pride in where you come from.
And as someone who proudly traces my roots back to New Ulm and who has always loved curling, I could not be more excited about this historic win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Korey Dropkin?
Korey Dropkin is a Minnesota-based REALTOR® and Olympic curler who helped Team USA win its first-ever Olympic silver medal in mixed doubles curling at the 2026 Winter Games.
Q: What medal did Team USA win in mixed doubles curling in 2026?
Team USA won the silver medal, marking the first Olympic medal for the United States in mixed doubles curling.
Q: Where is Korey Dropkin based as a REALTOR®?
He is affiliated with Superior Shores Group at RE/MAX Results in Duluth, Minnesota.
Q: Why is this Olympic medal historic?
It represents the first time the United States has medaled in Olympic mixed doubles curling.
