Michael Harry Holland (born 9 December 1961) is an American former ski jumper. He was world distance record holder for 27 minutes, surpassed shortly after by Matti Nykänen in 1985.
Biography A native of Norwich, Vermont, Holland was a five time U.S. national champion. Holland competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
On 15 March 1985, he set the ski jumping distance world record at 186 metres (610 ft) on Velikanka bratov Gorišek in Planica, Slovenia. And became only the second man to jump over 600 feet barrier. This world record was held for only 27 minutes before Finnish jumper Matti Nykänen passed his mark with a jump one meter longer.
Holland had five top ten world cup results including a 1st-place finish in Bischofshofen, Austria in 1989; three 2nd-place finishes in Harrachov, Thunder Bay and Planica; and 3rd place in Lahti.
World Cup
Standings Season Overall1982/8315 171983/8422 921984/8510 291985/8629 341986/8734 821987/8830 651988/8911 81989/90 — —1991/9234 —
Wins No. Season Date Location Hill Size1 1988/89 6 January 1989 Bischofshofen Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze K111 LH
Ski jumping world record DateHillLocationMetresFeet15 March 1985 Velikanka bratov Gorišek K185 Planica, Yugoslavia186610
Family life His younger brothers Joe Holland and Jim Holland were also U.S. national champions, Joe competed in the Nordic combined and Jim competed in ski jumping. Both competed on the world cup circuit and in the Olympic Winter Games.
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