Jordan Stolz Falls Short of History: Dutch Skaters Claim Both Mass Start Golds at Milano Cortina 2026

In the final long-track speedskating events of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, February 21, 2026, 21-year-old American phenom Jordan Stolz finished fourth in the men’s mass start, missing his chance to become the first man since 1994 to win three gold medals in long-track speedskating at a single Games.The gold went to 40-year-old Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands, who becomes the oldest man ever to win an Olympic speedskating gold. Bergsma, sporting his signature mullet, added this victory to his earlier bronze in the men’s 10,000 m and now has five career Olympic medals (including his 2014 10,000 m gold).

He broke away mid-race with Denmark’s Viktor Hald Thorup (silver), while Italy’s Andrea Giovannini took bronze—famously mimicking Steph Curry’s “Night Night” celebration after Italy’s team pursuit upset over the U.S.In the women’s mass start (the very last speedskating race of the Games), reigning world champion Marijke Groenewoud (NED) claimed gold in a stunning comeback performance after finishing no better than seventh in her other three races. Canada’s Ivanie Blondin earned silver (her second consecutive Games silver in the event), and the U.S.’s Mia Manganello (36, this season’s World Cup mass start champion) took bronze in the final race of her career—celebrating with a victory lap waving the American flag.

Key Context & Stolz’s Campaign

Stolz had already won gold in the men’s 500 m and 1,000 m, plus silver in the 1,500 m earlier in the week.

A third gold would have matched Johann Olav Koss (Norway, 1994 Lillehammer: 1,500 m, 5,000 m, 10,000 m).

Only two long-track skaters have ever won more than three at one Games: Eric Heiden (USA, 5-for-5 in 1980 Lake Placid) and Lidiya Skoblikova (USSR, 4 in 1964).

Stolz had been asked repeatedly about a potential “four-gold” scenario after his first two wins, but admitted after the 1,500 m silver: “I didn’t have it today. Not sure why.”

The mass start (Olympic debut in 2018) is a chaotic 16-lap (6,400 m) pack race with frequent jostling—Stolz himself called it “kind of a tossup” and “a bonus” pre-race.

Bergsma dominated the men’s race by breaking clear midway, coasting to the line with arms spread wide, fists pumping, and kisses blown to the large Dutch crowd at Milano Speed Skating Stadium.

Final Speedskating Medal Highlights for USA & Netherlands

USA: Jordan Stolz (2G-1S), Mia Manganello (bronze in mass start), plus earlier medals from the team pursuit and other distances.

Netherlands: Mass start double (Bergsma men’s gold, Groenewoud women’s gold), reinforcing their long-track dominance.

With these results, speedskating wrapped up as one of the most medal-rich disciplines, and the Games head into their final day (February 22) with Norway still leading the overall table (18G-40 total) and the U.S. in second (11G-31 total). A dramatic close to one of the most memorable speedskating competitions in recent Olympic history!

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