This time it was Friday afternoon, at the U.S. long-track speedskating championships, in Stolz’s second race of the day, the 1,500 meters. Stolz rocketed across the ice in 1 minute 42.3 seconds at the Pettit National Ice Center, besting the track record by a few hundredths of a second, which he just set last week.
Stolz had also held this track record here in January when he skated 1:43.38.
While Stolz’s racing and endurance has been on an upward trajectory for the last 18 months since he debuted at the 2022 Olympics, what may be even more impressive from his racing Friday was the conditions in which he skated so well in.
While speedskating is indoors, it was an unseasonably muggy 66 degrees and humid outside, which can affect the skating conditions for the ice inside.
“Humidity can make frost on the ice,” said Stolz, 19. “In the 500 it was pretty frosty. The frost of your blade creates a bit of a drag. But after they resurfaced the ice it cleared up pretty well for the 1,500.”
That’s why Stolz could set the record.
“It’s a low land world record again,” said Stolz’s coach, Bob Corby. “I don’t really even care about the records. He does – a little bit. I just know they’re going to come, so I’m not worried about when.”
Stolz took first place in the 500 a few hours earlier with a time of 34.66 seconds; he holds the track record here, which he set in January at 34.42. Since he’s been training diligently at longer distances all offseason, it wasn’t unusual that his 500 time would be just a bit slower.
Cooper McLeod was second in the 500 and Zach Stopplemoor was third. Some skaters will opt to re-race the event Saturday before the best time officially wins it.
Erin Jackson took first place in the women’s 500 with a time of 38 seconds, while Kimi Goetz and Brittany Bowe rounded out the top three.
Goetz and Mia Kilburg were the next two finishers in the 1,500, after Bowe.
The championships – which run through this weekend – are World Cup qualifiers for the American team. Admission is free for spectators.
According to sports.yahoo.com. Source of photo: internet
