MILAN, Italy (WFRV) – Jordan Stolz delivered on the biggest stage Wednesday, winning the men’s 1,000 meters to claim his first Olympic gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Stolz, a 21-year-old Wisconsin native, entered the event as the favorite and proved why. The world-record holder and two-time world champion at the distance skated a commanding race, topping a stacked field that included top challengers from the Netherlands and Poland.
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Racing in the 14th of 15 heats, Stolz went head-to-head with Dutch contender Jenning de Boo. Stolz posted the fastest time of the competition, securing gold and giving Team USA its first medal of any color in the men’s 1,000 since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Stolz’s Olympic schedule is far from over. After two days off, he is set to compete in the 500 meters on Saturday, followed by the 1,500 meters on Feb. 19 and the mass start on Feb. 21.
With one gold secured, Stolz now has a chance to leave Italy with multiple medals — and further cement his status as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
