MILAN, Italy – The dream of a historic three-gold medal haul at a single Winter Olympics slipped away for American speed skater Jordan Stolz on Saturday, as he finished fourth in the men’s mass start event at the Milan Cortina Games. The race was dominated by veteran Dutch skater Jorrit Bergsma, who at 40 years old, became the oldest man to win a speed skating gold medal, adding to his bronze in the 10,000 meters earlier in the competition. The unexpected result capped a remarkable Games for Stolz, who still leaves Italy with two gold medals and a silver, marking the best U.S. Performance at a Winter Olympics since 2010.
Bergsma’s victory, alongside silver medalist Viktor Hald Thorup of Denmark, unfolded as a tactical race that left the rest of the field scrambling for the remaining podium spots. The duo broke away early in the third lap of the 16-lap race, establishing a significant lead that Stolz and the other contenders were unable to close. The American skater, who had led in the initial laps, appeared to anticipate a chase from his rivals, but that effort never materialized, leaving him to finish just off the podium. Italy’s Andrea Giovannini secured the bronze medal, narrowly edging out Stolz in a sprint finish.
Bergsma’s Veteran Triumph and Stolz’s Disappointment
Jorrit Bergsma’s gold medal represents a career highlight for the Dutch speed skating stalwart. His victory wasn’t just about speed; it was a display of tactical brilliance and endurance. Bergsma and Thorup worked together to build an insurmountable lead, allowing Bergsma to coast across the finish line, celebrating with a jubilant display for the Dutch fans at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. This marks Bergsma’s second Olympic gold medal, having previously won the 10,000 meters at the 2014 Sochi Games, and his fifth Olympic medal overall. NBC Bay Area reported on the stunning victory.
For Stolz, the fourth-place finish was a surprising conclusion to an otherwise stellar Games. The 21-year-old from Wisconsin had captivated audiences with his dominant performances in the 500 meters and 1,000 meters, securing gold medals in both events. He then added a silver in the 1,500 meters, setting the stage for a potential historic fourth gold. However, Stolz expressed a degree of bewilderment at the lack of coordinated effort from the other skaters to challenge Bergsma and Thorup’s breakaway. “They all expected me to chase, but I wasn’t going to do that,” Stolz said, as quoted by the Associated Press. “If I would have chased with five laps to head, I would have just blown myself up. I thought the other guys would be a bit more hungry to do it, but I guess they didn’t want to.”
A Tactical Race and Coach’s Frustration
The unusual dynamic of the mass start race drew criticism from Stolz’s coach, Bob Corby, who described it as “the stupidest race I’ve ever seen in my life.” Corby lamented the lack of urgency from the rest of the field, stating that the skaters seemed content to compete only for the bronze medal. This tactical approach allowed Bergsma and Thorup to maintain their commanding lead, ultimately dictating the outcome of the race. The mass start event, known for its unpredictable nature and strategic complexities, certainly lived up to its reputation in Milan.
The race unfolded with Bergsma and Thorup establishing their dominance early on, creating a four-second lead by the third lap and extending it to a half-lap advantage by the 11th lap. As the leaders pulled away, Stolz and the remaining skaters appeared hesitant to expend the energy required to mount a serious challenge. This strategic miscalculation proved costly, as Bergsma and Thorup were able to comfortably control the pace and secure the gold and silver medals, respectively. Giovannini’s late surge secured the bronze, capitalizing on the lack of coordinated effort from the chasing pack.
Stolz’s Overall Performance and Historical Context
Despite missing out on a fourth gold medal, Jordan Stolz’s performance at the Milan Cortina Games remains a significant achievement for the United States. His two gold medals and one silver represent the best American showing in speed skating at a Winter Olympics since 2010. The last male speed skater to win three gold medals at a single Winter Games was Johann Olav Koss at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. ESPN highlighted this historical context.
Stolz’s journey to Olympic success began with a strong showing at the 2022 Beijing Games, where he finished 13th and 14th in his events at the age of 17. His rapid development and consistent performance have established him as a rising star in the world of speed skating. He expressed satisfaction with his overall performance in Milan, acknowledging that while there were areas for improvement, he was proud of his accomplishments. “I thought it was pretty successful: Two golds and a silver, that’s pretty good,” Stolz stated. “There’s some things that could have been better, but overall I’m pretty happy with it.”
Dutch Dominance Continues in Women’s Mass Start
The Netherlands continued its dominance in speed skating at the Milan Cortina Games with a gold medal in the women’s mass start. Reigning world champion Marijke Groenewoud secured the victory, adding to the Dutch team’s impressive medal count. Ivanie Blondin of Canada claimed the silver medal for the second consecutive Games, while Mia Manganello of the United States took home the bronze in her final Olympic race. Manganello, the World Cup champion in the mass start this season, celebrated her achievement with a victory lap carrying the American flag.
Blondin also played a key role in Canada’s successful defense of their team pursuit gold medal earlier in the Games. The Canadian team’s consistent performance throughout the competition underscored their strength and determination. The women’s mass start provided a thrilling conclusion to the speed skating program at the Milan Cortina Games, showcasing the athleticism and strategic prowess of the world’s top skaters.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games continue with events in other winter sports. The next scheduled event is the men’s alpine skiing downhill on February 22nd. Further updates and results can be found on the official Olympic website: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics.
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