Holland 19th at World Cup; misses out on Olympic team
(AP photo) Nate Holland, pictured left competing in one of his three Olympics, did not make the 2018 U.S. Olympic team, which was announced this week.
SANDPOINT — After competing in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Olympics, Sandpoint native Nate Holland will not make it four in a row, as the U.S. Snowboard team announced its four-person SBX team on Tuesday, with Holland just missing the cut.
At a recent World Cup SBX race in Erzurum, Turkey, Holland finished 19th among 61 racers, and fifth among the American riders. The race was part of the criteria for making the team, and despite winning an SBX race last year on the 2018 Olympic course in South Korea, the 39 year-old decorated veteran of the sport was not selected by the head coach.
“Day late and a dollar short for Olympic Qualifier podium,” Holland wrote on his facebook page.
Holland teamed up with Alex Deibold to finish third and nab a podium spot in the SBX team race in Turkey, showing that the elite speed is still there.
Nate’s mom Rebecca Holland, of Sandpoint, said Nate was disappointed but gave his all, and is fully behind the U.S. team. She’s had many racers over the years tell her how much they’ve learned from watching Nate, one of the most decorated snowboarders in the history of SBX.
Rebecca and husband Don Holland were prepared to go to South Korea, having made the previous three Olympics in Italy, Canada and Russia. The parents have had a front row seat as the sport, originally called boardercross, came of age over the past two decades.
“We’ll always remember the words of appreciation from parents of young athletes for Nate’s guidance and care for their rookie kid entering the field,” said Rebecca. “Don and I are so very proud of how Nate represented our family, our community and our country on the world stage over the last 14 years. And honestly, we don’t expect this to be the end of racing for Nate, just the end to his efforts for an Olympic medal.”
Holland won seven X-Games Gold Medals, dominating the event nearly every year of its existence, and landed on numerous World Cup podiums throughout the years. Coupled with three Olympic rings and a fourth place in 2010, it’s not hard to argue he’s among the greats in the history of the sport.
“There’s so much respect amongst these veterans that developed this sport over the last 20 years,” claimed Rebecca.
The Snowboard Cross World Cup tour will continue next weekend with an individual sprint race slated for 27th January 2018 in Bansko, Bulgaria.