March 5, 2026 – Heerenveen, NL – The pairings for Thursday’s Sprint Championships in Heerenveen, NL, are set and Jordan Stolz has a unique matchup.
Foto; Jordan Stolz, die het WK Sprint en WK Allround gaat schaatsen. Photo courtesy Neeke Anna Wassenbergh-Smit
In the first 500m race, Stolz will skate in the 12th pairing against Bjorn Magnussen of Norway. The 28-year-old has a personal best of 33.990in the 500m. On the season the best finish was third place at the ISU European Championship in Poland where he skated 35.123.
Stolz is currently the track record holder in the 500m. In December 2025, Stolz skated 33.90. His personal best is 33.69 and Stolz won the gold medal in the 500m at the Olympics with a time of 33.770.
There are 14 pairings in the 500m. Two other Americans will also compete including Conor McDermott-Mostowy and Cooper McLeod. Racing starts at the Thailf at 5 p.m. in the Netherlands.
In the 1000m, it will be USA vs. USA as Stolz will skate against Cooper McLeod in the 13th pairing. Stolz holds the track record at the Thialf in the 1000m with a time of 1:06,38. He also just won the gold in the 1000m at the Olympics with a time of 1:06.280. Stolz holds the world record in the 1000m with a 1:05.370.
McLeod’s personal best in the 1000m is 1:06.620. This season his best 1000m finish was second place at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials with a time of 1:07.845. At the Olympics he finished 19th with a time of 1:09.319.
One interesting thing about the pairings, there are actually three races where a skater is matched against someone from their own country.
In the ninth pairing skaters from Poland go head to head as Piotr Michalski will skate against Marek Kania and in the 12th pairing Jenning De Boo of the Netherlands will face off against Joep Wennemars.
For the women, Sarah Warren and Erin Jackson are competing for the USA in the 500m and the 1000m,
Friday race lineups have yet to be released. That day will also feature the 500m and the 1000m.
Saturday races include the 500m and the 5000m for men, women will skate a 3000m and a 500m.
Sunday races include a 1500m for men and women and then a 5000m for women and a 10,000m for men.
Jordan Stolz is the only skater competing in all events.
Watch for updates on WashingtonCountyInsider.com
