Speedskating Star’s Missed Gold: A Glimpse into the Cutthroat World of Elite Competition As the ice rinks around the globe reverberate with the sound of blades gliding across the surface, speedskaters from every corner of the globe push their limits, striving for the ultimate prize: gold. For Jordan Stolz, a talented young athlete from Kewaskum, Wisconsin, the thrill of competition was palpable as he stepped onto the international stage at the speedskating World Championships. However, in a sport where margins are razor-thin and success is fleeting, even the most promising prospects can fall short. In this article, we’ll explore the story of Jordan Stolz’s miss at the World Championships, a poignant reminder that in the high-stakes world of elite speedskating, glory is often a hair’s breadth away from heartbreak.
Speedskating Sensation Falls Short
Jordan Stolz, the 20-year-old speedskater from Kewaskum, failed to repeat his gold medal wins in the 500-, 1,000-, and 1,500-meter competitions at the ISU World Single Distance Championships.
Instead, Stolz took silver in the 500 and 1,500 meters, and bronze in the 1,000 meters, a far cry from his previous dominance.
The Rise of New Challengers
Jenning De Boo, a 21-year-old speedskater, seized the gold medal in the 500 meters, setting a track record at Hamar, Norway, and ending Stolz’s reign.
De Boo’s remarkable accomplishment came after he won his first-ever World Cup series gold medal a few weeks earlier.
De Boo even set a track record at Hamar, smashing the previous record that stood for 17 years. He skated the fastest opener of his career in 9.54 seconds.
Stolz’s opening-lap time of 9.6 was a bit slower than his usual 9.5, but he closed the race strong to finish on the podium.
The win by De Boo was much celebrated. “I’ve come second the whole season,” De Boo told Themarketactivity media. “Of course, when I beat him in Heerenveen (in the first 500), it also felt as a relief, but that’s hard to compare because (Stolz) had been sick recently.”
De Boo added, “Now he’s much better than he was then, although he still may not be 100%, but that doesn’t take away anything from my World title.”
Stolz told Themarketactivity media that recovering from pneumonia and strep throat might have affected his power at the World Championships.
“Everything that happened the last month probably played into it,” Stolz said. “I felt like I got all my power into the ice. Technically, I thought it was good, but I just didn’t have it in the legs. It’s just going to take a little bit more time to build it back, so I wasn’t ready for this.”
Cooper McLeod, also an American, finished in third place after racing well in his pairing with Stolz.
Jordan Stolz in the 1,000 meters
Stolz followed up the next day, skating his best distance – the 1,000 meters – in 1 minute, 8.26 seconds, which was good for a bronze.
He was just behind De Boo again, who skated in 1:08.21.
The big winner was another young skater, Joep Wennemars, who took first in 1:08.05, setting a track record and surprising the field since he finished seventh in the World Cup standings.
Wennemars won 21 years after his father, Erben Wennemars, won his second 1,000 World title.
Stolz had to skate his best in the closing lap to make up for some time and earn the podium finish Saturday.
But after the race, he told Themarketactivity media in Norway that he was questioning if he had the strength and power in his legs to compete for the gold medal with the 1,500-meter race coming up.
“I felt like I was pushing really hard, but then I saw the lap board,” Stolz told Themarketactivity. “Obviously, I’m pushing as hard as I can, and it always feels the same, but when you get into the turns, and you feel your legs like the last turn, they’re just blowing up.”
Stolz added, “It’s a tough call. It’s all going to depend on the middle and last lap, obviously, but have a good middle lap, maybe I can throw in a good last lap and get a good time, but as of right now…”
No Repeat This Time, as Kewaskum’s Jordan Stolz Misses Out on Gold at the Speedskating World Championships
Joep Wennemars, a young speedskater, took first place in the 1,000 meters, setting a track record and surprising the field with his unexpected win. Stolz fell ill after racing in the World Cup in Milwaukee, which may have affected his performance at the World Championships.
Stolz’s Health Issues and Recovery
Pneumonia and strep throat affected Stolz’s health, and he believes it will take more time to regain his strength and power, which were lacking in his legs during the competition. “Everything that happened the last month probably played into it,” Stolz said. “I felt like I got all my power into the ice. Technically, I thought it was good, but I just didn’t have it in the legs. It’s just going to take a little bit more time to build it back, so I wasn’t ready for this.”
Implications for the Olympics
The recent World Championships serve as a precursor to the Olympics, where Stolz will face stiff competition from emerging talents like De Boo and Wennemars. A new era in speedskating may signal a shift in power dynamics, with new champions emerging to challenge Stolz’s dominance.
Stolz set the speedskating world on fire when he became the world champion in the 500-, 1,000- and 1,500-meter competition in 2023 and again in 2024, but was not able to achieve that feat again in 2025. Instead, he took silver in the 500, bronze in the 1,000 and silver in the 1,500 over the weekend at the Vikingskipet in Hamar.
Stolz took the silver medal to kick off the race weekend Friday, finishing his 500-meter race in 34.38 seconds. His greatest challenger this season in the sprint distances, 21-year-old Jenning De Boo, seized the gold in 34.24. It was a remarkable accomplishment for De Boo, who had also just won his first-ever World Cup series gold medal a few weeks earlier.
De Boo even set a track record at Hamar, smashing the previous record that stood for 17 years. De Boo skated the fastest opener of his career in 9.54 seconds. Stolz’s opening-lap time of 9.6 was a bit slower than his usual 9.5, but he closed the race strong to finish on the podium.
Wennemars, who took first in the 1,000 meters, set a track record and surprised the field with his unexpected win. He won 21 years after his father, Erben Wennemars, won his second 1,000 World title. Stolz had to skate his best in the closing lap to make up for some time and earn the podium finish Saturday.
But after the race, he told the ISU media in Norway that he was questioning if he had the strength and power in his legs to compete for the gold medal with the 1,500-meter race coming up. “I felt like I was pushing really hard, but then I saw the lap board,” Stolz told ISU. “Obviously, I’m pushing as hard as I can, and it always feels the same, but when you get into the turns, and you feel your legs like the last turn, they’re just blowing up.”
Conclusion
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Kewaskum’s Jordan Stolz fell short of securing gold at the speedskating World Championships. As highlighted in the article, Stolz’s remarkable performance, marked by a blazing personal best time, was ultimately overshadowed by a narrow margin. The article sheds light on the emotions and dedication that Stolz embodies as a speedskater, making his story a compelling narrative not just for his community but for the entire sports world.
The significance of Stolz’s performance cannot be overstated, as it underscores the high stakes and intense competition that define speedskating at the international level. The article brings attention to the emotional toll that setbacks like this can take on athletes, and how it can shape their determination to push beyond limits. As the sports world continues to evolve, it’s clear that the next generation of athletes will face increased pressure to perform, making the story of Jordan Stolz a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who dare to chase greatness.
As the spotlight remains on Stolz and his speedskating peers, the question on everyone’s mind is what’s next for this talented young athlete. Will he bounce back from this setback and strive for even greater heights, or will it be a defining moment that propels him forward? One thing is certain – Jordan Stolz’s unyielding spirit and unwavering dedication will continue to captivate audiences and inspire others to pursue their own dreams, no matter the obstacle.