December 12, 2025 – Hamar, Norway – A fourth individual race and a fourth track record and gold-medal finish in a row for American speedskater Jordan Stolz who is just leaving coaches and the competition speechless.
Stolz clipped off the second fastest 100m opener on the day (9,51) and then showing off his strong finishing kick, Stolz crossed the tape in 33,97.
The previous track record held by Dutch sensation Jenning De Boo who finished trailing Stolz at 34,21.
This has been the second track record of De Boo’s that Stolz has broken in the last eight days.
“He’s just in very good shape right now,” said De Boo.
Comments from Stolz will come after his 1500m competition, where he skates ninth against Dutch standout and hometown favorite Peder Kongshaug.
On a side note: There’s lots of fun personality in the crowd at Hamar as young fans show their true colors.
December 12, 2025 – Hamar, Norway – A big weekend on tap in Hamar, Norway as Jordan Stolz skates in his last ISU World Cup, December 12 – 14, before the Olympic qualifier at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, January 2 – 5, 2026.
Stolz is coming in to this weekend riding a sweep of races and new track records in Heerenveen where he secured gold-medal finishes in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m.
His name was also added to the leader board at The Thialf, as Stolz set new track records in all three events.
“Pretty phenomenal,” said coach Bob Corby of the 500m record. “It was not planned or expected. So it was pretty surprising.”
“Amazing couple weeks for Jordan, especially Heerenveen,” said 1994 Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen. “Possibly the best I’ve ever seen him look.”
Jansen is very familiar with this weekend’s skate in Hamar, it’s the same ice where he secured his 1000m gold and set a world record in 1994 at 1:12,43.
Stolz is slated to compete in four races this weekend including the 500m and 1500m on Friday, the 1000m on Saturday, and on Sunday the men’s Mass Start.
“He will definitely need rest after this week in Hamar,” said Jansen. “More than most as he is unique in racing three individual distances plus the Mass Start…. So at least five races each weekend compared to two (or max three) for others.
“The good thing for him is he does not need to peak for the US Trials. Most of the Dutch skaters need to be at their best for their own trials so they basically need to peak twice. Having said that, they are as good or better than any country I’ve ever seen at peaking at the right time.”
The last time Stolz was in Hamar was March 2025 and he was definitely coming down with something. In the 500m he secured a silver medal, followed by bronze in the 1000m and silver in the 1500m.
Interesting to note the podium appearances even while he was suffering pneumonia and strep throat.
2006 and 2010 Olympic gold and silver medalist Shani Davis has also been keeping an eye on Stolz. Earlier this season he was in attendance at the ISU World Cup in Salt Lake City.
“Jordan is doing unbelievable things right now. 3 victories, 3 track records in Heereneven; wonderful,” said Davis. “The best is still yet to come.”
Stolz seems to have found another gear this season. “Performing at a high level weekend after weekend is challenging but he seems to be handling it quite well,” said Davis.
“Going into the Olympics he’s definitely the most consistently competitive athlete we have; I haven’t heard about any others from different sports.”
TIMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND:
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The old 500m track record of 34.31 was set in January 2008 by Canadian Jeremy Wotherspoon. In March 2025 Jenning De Boo topped that with a skate of 34.24. The World Record set in March 2019 in the 500m is held by Paul Kulizhnikov at 33.61.
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Stolz will skate in the eighth pairing against track record holder Jenning De Boo.
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Stolz enters the race with a personal best of 33.690. Last week in Heerenveen he skated a track record at The Thialf of 33.905
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In the 1500m Stolz will skate in the ninth pairing against powerhouse Peder Kongshaug of Norway. The 24-year-old’s best time is 1:41,34, where he finished fourth in Salt Lake City in November.
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Stolz enters the 1500m with a personal best of 1:40,480.
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The 1500m track record holder is Shani Davis; set in November 2009 with a time of 1:44,27. Nuis Kjeld holds the world record at 1:40,17.
Jansen echoed Stolz current status saying he “is obviously very sharp at the moment, both physically and technically.”
Looking ahead, Jansen speculated, “I’m not his coach, but my thought would be to recover for two weeks (post Hamar), then do a six-week program leading up to the Games.”
That upcoming timeframe, according to Jansen can be tricky.
“Rest is so important for the body to recover and to improve. But the key is not to lose that “sharpness” as you rest. Your body still craves the hard work so you have to continue some hard, fast work right up to “Go time” or you can feel flat,” he said.
“He already has a solid base, so he doesn’t need as much volume as he did this Fall. Now it is just maintaining his endurance base and keep doing speed work all the way into February.”
Stay tuned for live coverage this weekend at WashingtonCountyInsider.com
