Eric Holden founded Holden Meteorological Services on the belief that too much reliance was being put on numerical models by the sailing community. The proliferation of easy to use websites displaying raw model data and the convenience of small download sizes of grib files meant this was rapidly becoming many peoples sole source of weather information. It is our philosophy that to make a reliable forecast, it must be preceded by a thorough analysis and interpretation of all the underlying factors using all the tools at our disposal. It is this holistic approach that gives us the confidence in assuring you that we are offering a superior product.

Eric received a BSc in Atmospheric Science from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma in Operational Meteorology from Environment Canada. He has provided weather support for teams entered in such races as the Sydney to Hobart, the Fastnet, Tour de France a la Voile, and Victoria to Maui yacht races. He has raced as navigator in many of these events himself, giving him an up close appreciation of what is required in a forecast when offshore. He is the forecaster of the Canadian Sailing Team and his tenure as an athlete on the team has contributed to his understanding of the micro considerations that go into producing a quality racing forecast. He grew up cruising on his family’s 44 foot ketch and has sailed extensively in the eastern Pacific. Eric is a member of the American Meteorological Society, the Royal Meteorological Society, and the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.

Previous Supported Events & Client Successes

2011
Weather Forecaster for the Canadian Olympic Sailing Team
Caribbean 600, Vela Veloce - 1st IRC 0, 2nd IRC Overall
Pineapple Cup, Vela Veloce - 1st IRC 2
Cabo Race TP 52 Mayhem -3rd Class B
Key West Race , Vela Veloce - 2nd IRC A
Key West Race Week, Vela Veloce - 1st IRC 1
Border Run, Open 60 O Canada - 4th PHRF AA
Islands Race, Open 60 O Canada - 11th ORR
Rolex Regatta St. Thomas, Vela Veloce - 2nd IRC 1
San Fernando, Rubia/Surfdude, 6th IRC Racing

2010
Weather Forecaster for the Canadian Olympic Sailing Team
Caribbean 600, Vela Veloce - 1st IRC Super 0, 2nd IRC Overall
Newport Bermuda, Vela Veloce - 4th Class 9, High Noon - 5th Class 7
Maxi Transatlantic, Valkyrie - 1st Mini Maxi, 2nd Overall
Pacific Cup, TP 52 Mayhem - 3rd Div E
Vic Maui, Kinetic - 1st Overall
Chicago Mackinac, Tyrant - 12th Section 2
Round Ireland Race, Persistance - 1st Sigma 38 Class
Heineken Regatta, Vela Veloce - 2nd Div 1
Route Halifax St. Pierre, Ciao Bella - 2nd IRC 2, Sea Smoke 1st PHR-2
Block Island Race, High Noon - 6th IRC 50
Vineyard Race, Vela Veloce - 1st IRC 0
East Coast IRC Championships, Vela Veloce - 1st IRC TP53, 2nd IRC 1
Long Island IRC Championships, Vela Veloce - 3rd IRC 1

Sailing Experience and Accomplishments

2010
Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup – Navigator, Swan 78 Valkyrie - RET
Round Ireland Race – Navigator, Sigma 38 Persistance - 1st Sigma 38 class
Chicago Mackinac Race – Tactician, N/M 43 Tyrant

2009
Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup – Navigator, Swan 78 Valkyrie - 2nd Overall
Canadian Sailing Team member, 470 class
Chicago Mackinac Race – Tactician, N/M 43 Tyrant – 2nd Div 1
Marblehead to Halifax Race – Navigator, A40RC Ciao! - 5th in class
Newport Annual Regatta – Mainsail, A40RC Ciao! - 2nd in class

2008
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race - Navigator, A 40 Broadsword
Lord Howe Island Race- Navigator, A 40 Broadsword - RET
Chicago Mackinac Race – Tactician, N/M 43 Tyrant - 4th Div 1
Vic Maui Yacht Race - Navigator, Riptide 50 Strum - 1st Line Honors, 1st Overall
Annapolis NOOD Regatta - Tactician, Mumm 30 Kinetic IV
Key West Race Week - Tactician, Mumm 30 Kinetic IV

2007
Rolex Fastnet Race - Navigator, Beneteau 47.7 Global Yacht Racing
Melges 24 European Championship - Bow, ITA 571 Fishdog
J24 Canadian Championships - Tactician, J 24 Team BC
Cadillac Van Isle 360 - Tactician, Mumm 30 Kinetic III

2006
SevenStar Round Britain and Ireland Race - Navigator, Corby 45 Incisor
Cowes Week - Tactician, Arcona 40 Global Yacht Racing
Cowes to St. Malo - Navigator, Corby 45 Incisor
China Sea Race, Hong Kong to Manila - Navigator, Beneteau 40.7 Barnstormer

2005
Rolex Fastnet Race - Navigator, Farr 40 Cacharaza
Tour de France a la Voile, Met Specialist and Mainsail trim, Mumm 30 Region Ile de France
Mumm 30 World Championship - Trimmer, Mumm 30 Alpes Maritime
Hong Kong to Hainan Island, China - Navigator, Beneteau 40.7 Barnstormer
China Coast Race Week - Tactician, Beneteau 40.7 Barnstormer
Raja Muda, Malaysia - Trimmer, Warwick 55 Shahtoosh
Port Huron to Mackinac Race - Tactician, N/M 43 Tyrant

2000-2004
Olympic Campaign - Skipper, Tornado Catamaran CAN 1

1998-1999
Byte World Championship - World Champion
Melges 24 World Championship - Tactician
Laser >> World Championship - Skipper 9th place
Laser Radial World Championship - 15th place
Canadian Youth Champion 1998 - Laser Class