Premier United States speed skater Jordan Stolz stumbled in the men’s 1,000 meters Winter Olympic trials right after the start but managed to finish with the third-best time. He will travel to the 2026 Milano Cortina as the gold medal favorite.
Stolz stumbled after catching the toe of one of his skates on a slick surface. As a result, he lost his footing and tripped at the Pettit National Ice Center. The Winter Olympic trials are being held about 40 miles south of his hometown of Kewaskum.
He, however, rose and returned to his stride quickly.
“I just tried to get it all out, right? Go as hard as I could and see what would happen, where I would end up,” Stolz said.
He said that a recent cold prevented him from normal preparation.
“Just didn’t have the right feeling,” the 21-year-old said. “Sitting around a lot. Been a little cramped up, dehydrated, so that was more so the issue today.”
He is considered a medal favorite for three events, including the 1,000, in Milan.
He holds the 1,000 World Record and is a two-time champion at each of the 500, 1,000 and 1,500.