A Stumble, But Not a Setback

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Star speedskater Jordan Stolz experienced an unexpected moment of misfortune during the men’s 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating on Saturday. However, despite tripping just after the start, he still managed to secure the third-fastest time and will represent the United States at the Milan Cortina Winter Games.

Stolz caught the toe of one of his skates on the slick surface, lost his footing, and fell after fewer than five strides at the Pettit National Ice Center, about 40 miles south of his hometown of Kewaskum. This kind of incident is rare for someone expected to earn multiple medals and be a key face of the upcoming Olympics. Nevertheless, he quickly got back up and continued racing, finishing with a time that placed him among the top qualifiers in the event.

“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 attributed his performance to a recent cold that affected his usual 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.”

Stolz is not only considered a medal contender for at least three events, including the 1,000, in Milan but may also be the favorite for gold. He holds the world record for the 1,000 meters and is a two-time world champion in each of the 500, 1,000, and 1,500 meters.

Because of his past results, Stolz was pre-qualified for those three Olympic races and only needed to participate in Saturday’s event to officially secure a spot on the team. Despite the early stumble, he finished with a time good enough to be among the trio of automatic qualifiers in the 1,000, joining Conor McDermott-Mostowy and Cooper McLeod.

McDermott-Mostowy clocked 1 minute, 7.606 seconds, with McLeod 0.24 behind and Stolz 0.36 off the pace.

“He handled it very impressively,” McLeod said about Stolz’s recovery. “He handled it like the many-time world champion that he is.”

A Remarkable Comeback

Earlier on Saturday, Erin Jackson made history by qualifying in the women’s 1,000 meters. She finished faster than her good friend, world record-holder Brittany Bowe.

At the trials four years ago, Jackson slipped in the 500 and failed to earn a spot in that event. However, Bowe, who did qualify in the 500, gave up her spot to Jackson, who then went to Beijing and became the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics.

Bowe had the fastest time Saturday heading into the final two-woman heat, when Jackson completed the 1,000 in 1:14.63. That was 0.39 faster than Bowe. Both athletes grew up in Ocala, Florida, and started in inline skating before switching to the ice.

Jackson’s performance was especially impressive given that she tore her left hamstring just before the start of a World Cup meet in December.

“Going into the beginning of this week, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to be able to race or not,” Jackson said. “But over the last few days, it started feeling really nice. It got better at just the right time.”

Bowe secured the second U.S. berth in the women’s 1,000. She turns 38 next month and will be heading to her fourth — and last — Olympics.

Bowe earned a bronze medal in the 1,000 at Beijing and a bronze in team pursuit at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

“To be able to be 1 and 2 with (Jackson) is great,” Bowe said. “And to be able to go back to the Olympics with her, and for her to have another shot to do something incredible, is going to be fun.”