Offshore success
In his twenties, Holland worked briefly in the United States – closer to international markets. There, he designed the 18-foot (5.49m) Eygthene, winner of the 1973 World Quarter Ton Cup. His success attracted the attention of an Irish businessman, who commissioned Holland to create Golden Apple, which was also successful in One Ton Cup competition. From this came commissions to design other boats, including Morning Cloud for the former British Prime Minister Ted Heath.
Holland started designing in Ireland in 1974, producing a string of successful offshore racers. Wins included the Fastnet (twice), Half Ton Cup and Sydney–Hobart race.
During the 1970s he was also commissioned to design a number of production racer–cruisers, including the Nicholson 33 and the Swan series.
Whitbread and America’s Cup challenges
Holland’s successes prompted commissions for larger ‘maxi’ yachts, including the hugely successful Condor and Kialoa IV (1980). In the early 1980s, Holland designed Peter Blake’s 78-foot (23.77m) maxi yacht Lion New Zealand for the 1985/86 Whitbread Round the World Race. He then worked on the 1987 America’s Cup challenge with Bruce Farr, Russell Bowler and Laurie Davidson, designing the Cup’s first ever fibreglass yachts – KZ3, KZ5 and KZ7.
Lion New Zealand is berthed in Auckland's viaduct marina.
