HEERENVEEN, Netherlands - Jenning de Boo made history by claiming his first victory over reigning champion Jordan Stolz at the World Cup event held at Thialf this past weekend. With his impressive time of 34.18 seconds, de Boo turned the tables on Stolz, who finished second with 34.27 seconds, and Kazakh skater Jevgeni Kosjkin rounding out the podium at 34.30 seconds.
This event marked the closing weekend of the World Cup series, just two weeks before the World Championships, making de Boo's win even more significant. After spending the entire winter chasing Stolz's times, de Boo finally succeeded against his fierce rival—a milestone many observers had anticipated but never witnessed until now.
De Boo's victory was not just about the time clocked, but also about seizing the moment when Stolz appeared vulnerable. Stolz had recently battled health issues, including pneumonia, which impacted his performance on the ice. According to de Boo, this created the perfect opportunity to break through: "I thought: I can go faster. I have skated here three times faster, so why shouldn’t I be able to do it for the fourth time?"
Reflecting on his win, de Boo couldn't contain his excitement. "It has been achieved, what a relief!" he exclaimed, shortly after crossing the finish line. His time of 34.18 seconds, though shy of his own track record of 34.05, was his personal victory—a monumental achievement as this marked his first individual World Cup win on the 500 meters.
Prior to his race, de Boo watched Stolz skate to 34.27 seconds during his run. Inspired by the American's effort, de Boo pushed himself even harder. "I noticed I was going really well, so I picked up the pace even more," he stated. His opening hundred meters of 9.55 seconds was the fastest he has ever run, signaling his determination from the get-go.
On the heels of their rivalry, Kosjkin also delivered impressive performances throughout the day. The 22-year-old Kazakh skater marked the race with the quickest opening, clocking 9.36 seconds, which left de Boo astonished. He acknowledged Kosjkin’s talent, remarking, "I stood with my mouth open. I think it's great. He is also young and is putting up remarkable times. Hopefully, we can keep pushing each other as we head to the World Championships!"
Despite the euphoria of his victory, de Boo remained cautious. He acknowledged Stolz's recent struggles due to illness, emphasizing, "On the one hand it is really nice to have beaten him, but on the other hand, Stolz has been sick. I keep this in mind for the World Championships, where he will likely be at his best again."
The high stakes and competitive atmosphere at Thialf highlighted the thrilling rivalry between the two young skaters, both just 21 years old. With the World Championships looming over the horizon, skeeters and fans alike are excited to witness how this competition evolves.
Sports analysts predict the tension leading up to the championships will only heighten the rivalry and encourage both athletes to push their limits even more. Residents of Heerenveen are riding the wave of excitement as their local star, de Boo, now stands as Stolz’s main competitor going forward.
De Boo's refreshing approach to competition, emphasizing both performance and mental resilience, has won him admirers beyond just his home turf. His recognition of the fear and pressure of public expectations adds another layer to the narrative: "People expect something from you, and when you are on the last lap, it is hard to deal with those pressures. But when it succeeds, it lifts a weight off your shoulders."
With the thrill of victory and the taste of competition fueling de Boo, fans will eagerly await his performance later this weekend at Thialf, where they will see him and Stolz compete again on Saturday and Sunday for both the 1000 meters and their second 500 meters of the event. The stakes remain higher than ever, and the motivation is real.
The thrilling battle between de Boo and Stolz is one story sports enthusiasts won't want to miss as they follow the road to the World Championships and the potential shift of the guard at the top of competitive speed skating.