February 13, 2026 – Milan, Italy – What are the chances of having the same draw two races in a row at the 2026 Winter Olympics? Well, if you’re Jordan Stolz and Jenning De Boo, that will be the pairing again for Saturday’s 500m. What’s your prediction? Former Olympians chime in below.
Coach Bob Corby said, “The race will probably be between Jordan and Jenning. It would be better if they were both in the same lane but that’s what we have. I would like a math analysis on the probability of both being picked in the same pair for 2 races.”
Dan Jansen, is a 1994 Olympic gold medalist in the 1000m. He will be at the race Saturday. The official draw has Stolz and De Boo racing in the 13th pairing. There are 16 heats overall.
Stolz has the inside lane to start and Jansen said, “Inner is an advantage…. But being paired with De Boo, he needs to stay with him at the 100-meter mark and have a great first turn. Jordan doesn’t want De Boo to feel like he’s ahead going into last turn. Having said this, the last inner turn for De Boo is not great for him with his size and much less agility than Jordan.”
Shani Davis, a 2006 Winter Olympic gold medalist in the 1000m had a different perspective on Stolz starting in the inner lane. “It’s a disadvantage since it sets up De Boo for a chase on Jordan. But if anyone can do it, it’s Jordan. I never count him out.”
Eric Heiden is a 5-time gold medalist. Heiden struck gold in 1980 when the Olympics were in Lake Placid. Heiden has been keeping an eye on the skater he calls a “phenom.”
“My understanding is Jordan’s really been peaking for this, you know, two weeks at the Olympics,” said Heiden. “Yeah, I think Jordan’s got a good chance of winning the 500, but again, you know, you make one little mistake, it’ll cost you in the 500.”
A couple facts going into the race:
-Fans from the Netherlands have turned out in force and orange is loud in Milan for #OlympicGames
Peacock and NBCsports.com have been broadcasting the races. #OlympicGames
Fans from the USA are going to have to dig deep and let Stolz hear it…. that goes for cheers at home too. (feel free to post your videos in the comment section.
- Stolz personal best time in the 500m is 33.690 from Feb. 16, 2024. His last 500m in Inzell, Germany clocked in at 34.10 on January 25, 2026.
- De Boo’s personal best in the 500m is 33.630 from Nov. 16, 2025
- This season Stolz secured the most points to win the 500m ISU World Cup as he took first place in Calgary, Heerenveen, and Hamar.
- During the last ISU World Cup in Inzell, Stolz finished with a bronze in both 500m races, as Polands Damian Zurek was on fire finishing with two track records including a 34.09 only to better that with a 34.06.
- Stolz has a strong finish, but he will have to get out of the blocks faster than Jun-Ho Kim of Korea who clocks a 100m at 9.51 while Stolz is at 9.58.
- De Boo is out of the gate and at the 100m mark between 9.58 and 9.68.
- The 500m competition will be fierce from others including Damian Zurek, Jun-Ho Kim, Marek Kania of Poland, and De Boo of the Netherlands.
- Also watch for Zach Stoppelmoor of the USA – he races in the fourth pairing agains Nil Llop Izquierdo of Spain.Stoppelmoor’s PR in the 500m is 34.270 set Nov. 16, 2025.
Saturday’s 500m begins at 4 p.m. in Milan. Note there is a 7-hour time difference in the states. Peacock and NBCsports.com have been broadcasting the races. #OlympicGames
Stolz has one gold under his belt so far, with a win in the 1000m.
