Nate Holland takes 4th in Sweden, ranked 3rd in World

TANDADALEN, Sweden — Sandpoint High School graduate Nate Holland capped the season with a fourth place finish at the final World Cup Snowboardcross.

Holland had the best finish of the U.S. team members.

"The course was really fast with some very technical jumps. I felt good about how well I rode it," said Holland, who was born and raised in Sandpoint by parents Don and Rebecca Holland.

Awards were also given for the final overall rankings of the World Cup season. With a strong finish that captured a win in Spain, Holland's performance landed him third in the SBX World Cup ranking charts.

Top spot was earned by Xavier de la rue of France, followed by Jasey Jay Anderson of Canada.

In addition to his goal to make it back on the podium, Holland knew he needed to replace his old truck this year. With his earnings won from this year's events and sponsors' bonuses, Holland returned home to Sandpoint this week to pick-up a new truck from his good friend Brett Taylor of Taylor-Parker Motor Co.

Holland is now driving back to Squaw Mt. in Tahoe, Calif., to continue training. With their exceptionally good snow pack, he expects to ride there into the month of May.

Holland, a member of the U.S. Snowboard "A" Team, will attend an extensive training camp at Mammoth Mt., Calif., this summer in preparations for another World Cup season and the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy in Feb. 2006.