#SpeedSkating

Jordan Stolz (USA) was crowned the 1500m World Cup champion despite having lost his first race of the season in the distance in Heerenveen on Friday. Peder Kongshaug (NOR) won in 1 minute and 44.01s, while Stolz had to settle for fifth place. Before the 1500m, Stolz had come second in the 500m, with Jenning de Boo (NED) taking his first individual World Cup gold. With the last 500m race to go on Sunday, Stolz has already sealed the Trophy in that distance.

Kongshaug ends wait for win over Stolz

Peder Kongshaug (NOR) had been the last skater to beat Jordan Stolz (USA) in a World Cup 1500m race, when he defeated the American in Tomaszów Mazowiecki (POL) last season. 

Last week, for a split second, Kongshaug thought that he’d done it again in Poland, but the photo-finish showed that Stolz’s skate crossed the line just 0.004s before Kongshaug’s.

In Heerenveen, Kongshaug was paired with Kjeld Nuis (NED). When they took the ice in the ninth of 10 parings, Stolz had already been beaten by Sander Eitrem (NOR) in the previous pair.

Although Stolz had a fast opener, Nuis was faster than both him and Eitrem at the 700m split. Kongshaug went along in the Dutchman’s slipstream, and at the 1100m split both Kongshaug and Nuis were faster than Stolz and Eitrem had been.

Nuis had the advantage of being able to chase Kongshaug at the last back-stretch, but the Norwegian edged his Dutch rival out in the finishing straight, pushing his skate over the line inches ahead of Nuis to finish in a time of one minute and 44.01 seconds.

Peder Kongshaug (NOR) ended his long wait for victory over all-conquering American Jordan Stolz with gold in the 1500m. © ISU

“It feels kind of incredible,” Kongshaug said. “Especially against Kjeld, doing it with so much noise [of the crowd]. I couldn’t hear anything, not even my own thoughts. I really didn’t know what was going on.

“It’s not so long ago that I was at home watching races on television, watching Kjeld doing track records. And now I’m being paired with him and managed to beat him. It’s quite a journey.”

Confidence was key, Kongshaug explained.

“I knew I was good enough to do it. I also knew that today, if I did a great race, I'm the best skater out there.”

Nuis injures himself after disqualification

Nuis skated the second best time of the day, but eventually got disqualified because he hit an inside track marker in the last corner. 

Upon being told of his disqualification, the Olympic champion exploded with rage and kicked a plastic chair that broke and cut Nuis in the heel of his right foot. 

Not only was Nuis scrapped from the results list, he dropped to fifth place instead of third in the final 1500m ranking and worst of all, his heel had to be stitched up. The Dutchman will not be able to compete in Saturday’s 1000m, and his presence at the World Single Distance Championships in Hamar (NOR) on 13-16 March seems to be in jeopardy. 

Kjeld Nuis (NED) took on Kongshaug in a thrilling ninth pair but was disqualified after touching a lane marker; his furious reaction may have ruled him out of the World Championships. © ISU

Following Nuis’ disqualification, Eitrem moved up into second place in a time of 1:44.21, while Ning Zhongyan (CHN) took bronze in 1:44.38.

Eitrem had enjoyed beating the previously unbeatable Stolz in a head-to-head battle. 

“I expected to skate alone when I saw the draw [because Stolz was expected to be much faster], but it was nice to have a cool battle with Jordan. So I was a little bit surprised,” he said.

Eitrem also took advantage of Nuis’ relegation in the ranking to take third place behind Stolz and Kongshaug.

Jordan Stolz (USA, center) picked up one of his three World Cup trophies. Norwegians Kongshaug (left) and Sander Eitrem (right) joined him on the podium. © ISU

First World Cup win for De Boo

Stolz’s 1500m loss did not come as a big surprise after the American had already shown not to be his usual dominant self in the 500m. 

Skating in the seventh of 10 pairings, the American finished the shortest distance in a time of 34.27s. His closest rival this season, Jenning de Boo (NED), was up in the final pairing, with Stolz still on top of the ranking.

“I knew I could go faster,” De Boo said. “I’ve already shown that [De Boo holds the Thialf track record of 34.05s], but in Milwaukee it was the same. I also skated after Stolz, and he skated a time that I thought would be feasible, but then I didn’t make it.”

This time De Boo finally did manage to beat Stolz, stopping the clock at 34.18s.

Jenning de Boo (NED) won his first individual World Cup gold in the 500m, finally fulfilling his potential by beating Stolz for the first time. © ISU

“Finally!” the Dutchman exclaimed. “Everyone said that I’m the answer to Stolz for a year-and-a-half now, but I never showed up for it and now for the first time I have shown that I can indeed get him. 

“That’s really nice, and also because it’s my first [individual] World Cup gold, but I know that Stolz has been ill and I’d definitely count him in for Hamar.”

Stolz has been so dominant this season that he had already secured the 500m, 1000m and 1500m World Cup Trophies before the final weekend. Not being able to live up to his own standard in Heerenveen did not worry him too much.

“I guess whatever happens, you have to accept it,” Stolz said. The American has been under the weather after suffering strep throat and pneumonia following the World Cup in Milwaukee three weeks ago. 

“I’m healthy now, and just getting back into shape, I’ve done some training and my recovery is a little slow now, but I’ll be back.”

Koshkin confirms strength with second medal

Behind De Boo and Stolz, another youngster climbed up to the 500m podium. After his surprising victory last week, Yevgeniy Koshkin (KAZ) confirmed his new status as one of the world’s fastest men on ice with a bronze medal in 34.30s.

“I remember a few years ago Laurent Dubreuil (CAN) said winning once can be coincidence, but if you’re on the podium twice or three times, it’s a confirmation of your strength.”

Yevgeniy Koshkin (KAZ) proved that last week's surprise 500m gold was no fluke by adding the bronze in Heerenveen. © ISU

Koshkin was promoted to the A Division last weekend and instantly won his first race in the top flight, following it up with another medal this week. 

“I think I’m more relaxed before the start, and technically better. I’m more stable in training and mentally I’m stronger," he added.

“Last week’s victory was important. That gave me the confirmation that I’m able to compete at top level. I want to keep this level and maybe get a silver medal on Sunday. That would mean that I complete the full medal set [gold, silver and bronze].”

Heerenveen program

The Heerenveen ISU World Cup Speed Skating will start with the first of two 500m races and the 1500m for both genders on Friday, February 28th, 2025. The program on Saturday March 1st comprises the 1000m for both genders, followed by the 3000m for women and the 5000m for men. On Sunday March 2nd, both genders will skate the Team Pursuit, the second 500m, and the Mass Start, before the event concludes with the Mixed Gender Relay.

ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series events 2024/25:

Nov 22  - 24, 2024                     Nagano / JPN 

Nov 29 - Dec 01, 2024              Beijing / CHN

Jan 24 - 26, 2025                      Calgary  CAN

Jan 31 - Feb 02, 2025               Milwaukee / USA

Feb 21 - 23, 2025                      Tomaszów Mazowiecki / POL

Feb 28 - Mar 02, 2025               Heerenveen / NED 

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