Hollands end SBX season on high note
It was a banner day for the Holland family Friday in Sun Valley, as brothers and Sandpoint natives Nate and Pat Holland dominated the final leg of the Jeep King of the Mountain tour, sharing the podium at a major snowboardcross (SBX) race for the first time ever.
Nate capped a stellar year by coming from behind to pass his younger brother before edging snowboarding icon Shaun Palmer at the finish line to win the event. Pat's third-place finish marked his first spot on the podium of a major SBX event.
Parents Don and Rebecca, along with a small group of friends from Sandpoint, were on hand and rightfully buzzing.
“It's fun as a parent to see your kids living their passion,” said Rebecca, who called it an amazing moment. “I've been saying my dream was to see both of them on the podium.”
The two brothers got paired in every four-man heat, meaning they had to finish 1-2 each time to advance to the finals. They did just that, joining Palmer and Nick Baumgartner in the championship, where Nate started in fourth place before passing every rider for the win.
With the second-place finish, Palmer edged Nate in the overall Jeep standing, winning the keys to a brand new Jeep.
That was immaterial to the Hollands, who wrapped up the SBX season with momentum and high expectations for the 2009 season, when World Cup points will count toward the 2010 Olympics in Canada. Pat continues to close the gap on his older brother, who has cemented himself as one of the top riders in the world.
“This is the first major podium Nate and I have ever stood on together,” Pat told Jeepsports.com, explaining the brotherly dynamic. “It feels good. We were training together on the course, and we help each other out where we can.
“Once you get in the major heats, though, he knows I am a threat, and I know he is an ace. You don't really give away your secrets even to your brother. He is still another rider on the course. If I know where I can catch him and pass him, and vice versa, we don't tell each other much.”
Palmer, 39, is a legend in the sport. He continues to hold his own against the best in the world, fending off riders nearly half his age.
“I was able to get the first two wins and I wanted to sweep the entire competition,” Palmer told Jeepsports.com about the series. “Hats off to Nate, he deserved to win. It's all about the 2010 Olympic now, and this finish sure doesn't hurt.”
Nate is currently featured in a Chevy commercial, and the Sun Valley win capped a solid season for the reigning three-time XGames gold medalist.
“It feels amazing. To win the last event of the year leaves such a good taste in my mouth for the summer. It's motivation to keep going, keep doing well and keep rocking,” Holland told U.S. Snowboarding.com. “I had a great season with the X Games win, the Jeep win, a Jeep second and a World Cup second. I needed this to make it a good season.”
The Sun Valley SBX will be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, March 30.