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Action Hero: Pat Holland (snowboard cross) |
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Written by Julie Brown/Tahoe World
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Tuesday, 05 February 2008 |
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For the love of it all
Pat Holland may not be one of the big names in the game, yet, but he’s got the goods to make it happen.
Want to root for the underdog at this weekend’s 48straight/Jeep King of the Mountain boarder cross competition? Then keep your eyes on Tahoe City resident Pat Holland.
The guy has strength, speed and fierce determination. But he’s never made it to a podium at a major event — yet.
“[Boarder cross] is a head to head battle,” Pat said. “No one gives an inch. But I’m willing to go against people with the biggest records and battle for that line.”
Pat also just happens to be the baby brother of Nate Holland, who just took home the Winter X Games gold for boarder cross, for the third year in a row.
 Is he sick and tired of living in his brother’s shadow? The answer would definitely be a “heck yes.” But Pat Holland knows he’s got to bring it to win it.
“Until I get major results, I’m living in (Nate’s) shadow,” Pat said. “I’m over it. But I have to earn my way out of it.”
Growing up in Sandpoint, Idaho, a mountain town situated on the shores of an Alpine lake (sound familiar?) — Pat’s been riding since he can remember. But he only recently decided to pursue the sport as a professional career.
After spending six seasons at Jackson Hole, Wyoming and a stint working for a heli-ski operation in Alaska, Pat went to the 2006 Olympics — to watch his brother compete.
Sitting in the stands at Torino, Italy, in the midst of a historical event that brings the world peacefully together, Pat Holland decided then and there that he wanted to up the ante and take snowboarding beyond the lifestyle and into a professional career.
The next season he moved to Tahoe City to ride at Squaw Valley, an endless playground for Holland, not to mention the training grounds for some of the best riders in the industry, he said.
 “There’s something about this place that breeds champions,” Pat said.
He’s since competed in World Cup competitions, four Winter X Games and a wide array of other events that keeps him out of town and traveling the world, for at least half the season.
While Pat said he’s in the industry for the love of it all, there are prices that must be paid. There are many skipped aprés-ski hours, when he walks past the Chamois at Squaw on his way to the gym.
Pat’s got his foot in the door, and he knows he has the potential to step it up to the next level, the stars just have to align.
“Everyone has their day and when you win, it’s your day,” he said.
For the meantime, you can count on Pat coming up to each and every starting line with one simple goal — to win.
“I enter every race wanting the podium,” he said. “I never shoot for less.”
Photos:
Top: Brothers Nate (left) and Pat Holland will compete on the boarder cross course at the Jeep King of the Mountain races Feb. 8 at Squaw Valley USA. (Photo courtesy of Eric Asistin).
Bottom: Pat Holland (courtesy photo).
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 February 2008 )
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