February 19, 2026 – Milan, Italy – It’s the third race for Jordan Stolz and a win in the 1500m today means a rare hat-trick at the #2026WinterOlympics.
Stolz, who said he was happy to get one gold under his belt with the 1000m, currently sits on two gold medals following a first-place finish in the 500m.
According to ISU-skating, after his 500m gold, the American said: “I am really happy so far to win two (gold medals). I think if I have a good 1500m, it should turn out well. I am hoping for gold in that.
“The mass start is just kind of a toss-up. It is more like a bonus. It is so hard to say what is going to happen in that, but I would love to win the 1500m.”
Stolz, who will also skate the Mass Start on Saturday, is confident going into Thursday’s 1500m. He skates in the 15th pairing vs. Peder Kongshaug of Norway.
Below is an article that ran Wednesday after the pairings were announced.
February 18, 2026 – Milan, Italy – The lineup for the 1500m race at the #WinterOlympics has been released and Jordan Stolz will be skating against a familiar opponent.
The draw shows Stolz skating in the 15th and last pairing vs. Peder Kongshaug of Norway.
Coach Bob Corby said, “Last pair good. Inner lane start is not as good but it doesn’t matter. Peder is a good pair for him.”
Stolz has entered two races so far this Olympics and come away with a pair of gold medals in the 1000m and the 500m. Fans back home are showing their support.
Analysis: Another of Stolz’s top races. His PR is 1:40.480 set in November 2025 in Salt Lake City. Stolz was 5 for 5 in 1st place finishes this season in Salt Lake City, Calgary, Heerenveen, Hamar, and Inzell, Germany.
Kongshaug is 24 years old and his PR in the 1500m is 1:41.340 set Nov. 15, 2025. Konshaug is an exhuberant skater with a big family fanclub. He finished first in the 1500m this season at the ISU European Speed Skating Championship in Poland.
Competition: Speedskating GOAT Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands will be shooting for his third Olympic gold in the 1500m. He won in Pyeongchang in 2018 and in Beijing in 2022. Zhongyan Ning of China is normally in the top 3 in the 1500m and Finn Sonnekalb of Germany is 18 and turning heads.
Watch for two other Americans to line up in the 1500m including Team Pursuit silver medalists Emery Lehman and Casey Dawson. Lehman is in the 5th pairing and will skate against David la Rue of Canada. Dawson skates in the 6th pairing vs. Vladimir Semirunniy of Poland.
Thursday’s 1500m is at 4:30 p.m. in Italy. There is a 7-hour time difference to the Midwest.
