Town signs Caledon flag for Olympian Jake Holden

January 31, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Caledon councillors and staff were on hand at Town Hall last Thursday to voice their support for Belfountain area native Jake Holden.
Holden, 26, has been named to the snowboard cross team that will be competing at the Winter Olympics in Sochi next month.
Last week’s festivities included the signing of a Town flag that will be forwarded to Holden.
The Holdens have seen some prominence, both locally and in the sports scene. His grandfather, the late John Holden, was Regional representative for Ward 1 on Caledon council in the early 1990s. His grandmother, Bev. McKnight was a member of Canada’s synchronized swimming team, which won bronze at the 1955 Pan Am Games in Mexico City.
Holden’s father Waldo said his son was competing in Aspen, Colorado last week. That’s to be followed by about a week of training in Whistler, B.C., before they head off to Sochi.
He also expressed appreciation for the support his son has received over the years, remarking his whole journey would not have been possible without help from the community. He also commented on the sponsorship he’s received Kinetico Home Water Systems, as well as Caledon Ski Club and C3 Running.
Mr. Holden was also speaking confidently about his son’s chances in the games.
“He’s definitely got a chance to be top-three,” he said. “Sometimes, there’s a bit of luck involved, but it’s the skilled racers who make it to the top.”
He’s been competing at the World Cup level for four years, and his best finish there has been 10th, but his father pointed out at that level, one is up against about 70 opponent, while the Olympics will only see about 40 competitors, “but they are the best at that time.”

This Caledon flag, bearing messages of good luck, will be going to snowboard cross Olympian Jake Holden. On hand for the signing last Thursday were Peel Region Chair Emil Kolb, Councillors Rob Mezzapelli, Patti Foley and Allan Thompson, Holden’s aunt Lorrie Holden and his parents Renee and Waldo, Mayor Marolyn Morrison and Councillors Richard Paterak, Doug Beffort and Richard Whitehead.
Photo by Bill Rea