Stolz’s defeats last March in the 500 (Jenning de Boo became world champion), in the 1000 (Joep Wennemars) and 1500 meters (Peder Kongshaug) could all be explained afterwards, said his coach Bob Corby.
Impressive Femke Kok improves her own Dutch record at 500 meters in America
The sensational skater in his twenties had been sick with the flu at the end of that season, refused to get sick, subsequently lost competitions, after which his coach also had him do heavy strength training. That had to go wrong, Corby claimed afterwards. “My mistake. I was careless.”
Where will Jordan Stolz drive during the World Cup in Salt Lake City on Sunday?
At the first international reacquaintance – which kicks off in Salt Lake City this weekend with the overture of the World Cup competition – Stolz won all the distances for which he had registered. That started on Friday night with a calculated victory in the kilometer and on Saturday evening with gold in the 500 and 1500 meters. Two more jobs await the American for the rest of this three-day period. On Sunday he will participate in the second 500 meters and the mass start.
De Boo, the reigning world champion, finished only tenth in the 500 meters. Stolz sniffed the world record (33.88), the Groninger stayed far away from that (34.23). “That takes some getting used to,” De Boo admitted NOS. “I’m not used to such a result. But it does explain my sloppy race.”
Relive the Dutch success in the 500 and 1500 meters for women in Salt Lake City
The Dutch were also far behind in the 1500 meters. Stolz was once again unapproachable, but again did not come close to the world record: 1.40.48. Kjeld Nuis rode 1.40.17 in 2019. The same Nuis did not come close to his American nightmare: 1.41.37.
How much was Kjeld Nuis at 1,500 meters in Salt Lake City?
The 36-year-old Leiden resident finished fifth. He was therefore the best Dutchman, because Joep Wennemars (7th in 1.42.34) and Tim Prins (8th in 1.42.36) could not even come close to keeping up with Stolz.