Holland named to third Olympic team

SANDPOINT — As pressure drops go, it was tough to beat what the Holland family experienced Saturday when Nate Holland finished fourth at a snowboardcross World Cup event at Andorra, Spain, a result that secured Holland a spot on his third U.S. Olympic Team.

Suffice it to say, not only was there a big exhale from Nate, but the entire Holland family, including parents Don and Rebecca Holland of Sandpoint, who weren’t sure their son would be heading to Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics until Monday, when the team was announced.

It’s been a roller coaster few weeks for Nate, who broke his clavicle in the first World Cup training run of the season, before rebounding quickly and returning to the elite form in the pressure-packed races. Upon returning home to Truckee, Calif., on Tuesday, Holland had some time to reflect on making his third Olympics.

“It’s pretty killer. It means a lot to be able to make three Olympics. The first one was amazing, the second one just as amazing, and now it’s surreal,” said Holland, who needed the fourth place finish in Spain to make the team. “I take a lot of pride in representing the United States. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to bring home a medal.”

Not only has Nate been dealing with returning from a broken clavicle, but also the stress of needing to place high to make the team, which was selected by the top World Cup finishes. Just as the U.S. team arrived in Spain for the first of what it thought was three more World Cup chances, it was announced that the final race would be canceled due to insufficient snow.

As if there wasn’t already enough pressure for a slew of U.S. riders gunning for the podium, things got a little more intense.

“Right when I heard that news, I kind of got a shot of nerves and adrenaline,” described Holland of last week. “It was a pressure cooker. Those are the situations I feed on. I got amped up for the race and pulled it out.”

Joining Nate on the U.S. SBX team are Trevor Jacob, who won the second of two World Cups over the weekend in Andorra, and Alex Deibold, who had previously earned a podium spot. The final rider will be announced Jan. 22, and figures to be either Nick Baumgartner, the most consistent high finisher among the U.S. riders this year, and two-time gold medalist Seth Wescott, who returned from injury but only finished as high as 31st.

Rebecca Holland, owner of All Star Photo in Sandpoint, was thrilled to hear the great news. Both parents were anxious, not knowing for sure if Nate would be headed to Russia for his third Olympics.

“It’s been a nailbiter. He said as soon as (the injury) happened, ‘this is just a bump on the way to Sochi,’” said Rebecca, who is hoping to make it to Russia but said nothing is set in stone. “We’re always excited to see Nate do well and achieve the goal he set. He’s not finished. He wants to medal there and he’s determined to get it done.”

Pat Holland, who finished 62nd and 50th in the Spain races, will join Nate later this month at the X Games in Aspen, the final pre-Olympic tune-up. Nate will be defending his gold medal, having won seven previous X Games in a dominating showing on a long course that suits his strengths.

One of Rebecca’s favorite pictures shows Nate and Pat sharing a podium in Sun Valley, and she’s hoping for a repeat in Aspen.

“That’s what I want to see again,” she said of her sons on the podium, noting Pat has also fared well in Aspen in the past. “There’s a chance at X.”

After that, it’s off to Russia, where Nate will race on Feb. 17.