Holland named to U.S. Snowboard team; competes at Worlds in Spain

SIERRA NEVADA, Spain — Despite posting the fastest qualifying time among the four U.S. racers competing at the FIS Snowboardcross World Championships last weekend in Spain, Sandpoint native Nate Holland finished 25th overall.

Holland, 38, is now one of the elder statesman of the sport, but he’s still one of the elite SBX riders in the world, and earned one of the four spots on the 2017 U.S. Snowboarding team, which was announced right before the Spain races.

Holland will be competing next year to qualify for his fourth Winter Olympic Games, and still possesses the speed and experience to make the final podium at any big event.

The men’s snowboardcross world championship title was won by France’s Pierre Vaultier, Lucas Eguibar of Spain was second and Alex Pullin of Australia was third.

Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT) prevailed in the women’s race to claim an amazing fifth World Championship title.

Jacobellis is the most dominant snowboardcross rider in history, and with a landmark fifth World Championship title in 2017 she is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.