77 Days Until The Winter Olympics: Speed Skating World Cup Showcases Star Power Of Stolz And Jackson
Week two of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating season kicks off this weekend in Calgary, Canada. Among the many storylines is the star power of US skaters Jordan Stolz and Erin Jackson.
The road to Olympic qualification is paved through five critical World Cup stops. Skaters will earn points at these events to secure their spots for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, which will take place from February 6-22. Here is the full schedule for the season that will decide their fate:
- Complete: November 14-16, 2025: Salt Lake City, United States
- November 21-23, 2025: Calgary, Canada
- December 5-7, 2025: Heerenveen, Netherlands
- December 12-14, 2025: Hamar, Norway
- January 23-25, 2026: Inzell, Germany
Fans can catch live streaming of the competitions on the ISU’s YouTube channel, though geo-blocking may apply in certain territories.
World Cup Speed Skating Summary From Last Week
Last week, Stolz, a 2022 Olympian, blazed through the competition. He captured gold in the Men’s 500m, 1000m, and 1500m races, a feat reminiscent of his clean sweeps at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships. His performance in the 1000m was particularly memorable, as he clocked a blistering 1:05.66 to set a new National Record.
Erin Jackson proved her resilience is as sharp as her skates, capturing two silver medals in the 500m at the season-opening ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Kearns, Utah. The reigning Olympic champion is roaring back from a back injury, showing the world she is still a formidable force on the ice.
Jackson, who estimates she is at 80 percent recovery, was one of only three women to break the 37-second barrier over the weekend, and she did it twice. She clocked in at 36.87 seconds on Saturday and then blazed to an even faster 36.57 on Sunday, setting a new American record in the process. The performances were a powerful statement from the decorated skater who has battled a series of health issues, including herniated discs, since 2023.
Men’s Summary
Besides Stolz, Dutch world champions Jenning de Boo (500m) and Joep Wennemars (1000m) are eager to prove their mettle, while reigning 1500m Olympic champion Kjeld Nuis brings a veteran’s poise. Stolz will also face a domestic challenge from fellow American Cooper McLeod, the U.S. 500m champion. In the long-distance races, Italy’s Davide Ghiotto, the reigning 10,000m world record holder, commands attention and aims to build momentum for his home Games.
A Global Battle on the Women’s Side
It’s no surprise that the Netherlands, the nation that gave the world speed skating, enters the season with a roster stacked with talent. Joy Beune cemented her status as the sport’s all-round queen in 2024. She’s joined by teammate Jutta Leerdam, the Beijing 2022 silver medalist who continues her relentless quest for Olympic gold in the 1000m. In the 500m, reigning world champion Femke Kok faces a stiff challenge from the American star, Jackson.
But the Dutch dominance is far from guaranteed. Lurking in the wings is Japan’s Takagi Miho, a seven-time Olympic medalist whose prowess in both the 1000m and 1500m makes her a threat in any race. Adding another layer of intrigue is one of the sport’s most captivating storylines: Italy’s Arianna Fontana. As her nation’s most decorated Winter Olympian, she is embarking on an audacious quest to qualify for both short track and long track speed skating on home ice in Milano Cortina, a feat of historic proportions.
