Jordan Stolz claimed a stunning victory in speed skating’s men’s 1000m, finishing in an Olympic record time of 1:06.28 on Wednesday 11 February.

The U.S. world record holder in the event was flawless and peerless as he came home 0.50 seconds ahead of silver medallist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands (1:06.78). People’s Republic of China’s Ning Zhongyan won bronze in 1:07.34.

“You can win as many World Cups as you want, but to be able to win the 1000m here, it’s once every four years, it’s just indescribable,” Stolz told Olympics.com of his victory, which was achieved in front of a roaring crowd that included U.S. speed skating legend Eric Heiden.

“I mean, the feeling of crossing the line and seeing an Olympic record, and I was pretty sure that time was going to win, I was super happy about that.”

Stolz was the clear favourite for victory at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, as he began his quest for four Olympic gold medals – in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m and mass start.

At just 21, he has now won his first Olympic gold medal, having competed at the last edition of the Games as a 17-year-old. He is the first U.S. athlete to win gold in any speed skating gold since Vancouver 2010, and the first non-Dutch athlete to claim the Olympic title in this event since the same edition of the Games.

Stolz lined up in the 1000m in the same pairing as De Boo, who took an early lead after Stolz appeared to slightly stutter on his start. However, the young North American was soon into his stride, finding the sort of pace that has seen him become one of the most popular and highly-anticipated skaters at these Games.

For De Boo, this silver was his first Olympic medal in his second appearance at the Games, while Ning’s bronze was his nation’s first ever in this event and third in any men’s speed skating event.

“I’m just overwhelmed with happiness,’ said De Boo in an interview with Olympics.com after the race. “This was almost the perfect race, but right now Jordan’s just the better man and he has been the entire season. I had a plan and I executed it perfectly, so I can just be happy with my silver medal.”

“Wow, I was really happy and really excited now,” bronze-winner Ning told Olympics.com. “I got the first Olympic medal and that’s a surprise.”