A chat with Peter Kerr
A new generation of fast triathletes is coming through in Australia and Peter Kerr is among them. Kerr recently grabbed the win at the highly coveted Noosa Triathlon and he is ready to step it up.
Slowtwitch: Welcome to slowtwitch.
Peter: Great to be here, heard so many things!
ST: Are you still flying high after that great win in Noosa?
Peter: Absolutely, it has been fantastic all the support and congratulations that has happened. Love it and hoping for more of these feelings.
ST: The whole podium was filled with young guns, so was this event a sign of things to come?
Peter: I’d like to think so. The guys that were on the podium with me are ones who have some serious talent and drive to succeed. I guess now we have tasted success with this sort of result – the hope is locked in for more. Australia has a new group emerging including the 3 of us and I believe given the support and direction we will put Australia back where it wants to be!
ST: Is Australia ready for you?
Peter: Haha, I hope so, some tall, loud, somewhat stupid guy out of country Victoria may not be for everyone but if a small group likes me, then I’ll take it!
ST: Talk about the conditions in Noosa.
Peter: A little wet and cooler than Noosa is used to, this probably helped me a fair bit on the run to keep the core temp down and move quick. We did see a faster run split in the girls also so I think the few less degrees was a factor. It did slow the bike a little in through town but I guess staying upright was more important than the few seconds here and there through corners.
ST: Was that the secret in terms of staying upright on the bike with so many other folks slipping and sliding?
Peter: For me I am a little more tentative on the bike, I am happier to brake a little more when there is danger about. It can be a downfall and it has for me in the past, but as I said before it’s knowing what the outcome might be and the worth of risking it. In a race like Noosa and as it was this year it was far better to keep clear of falls.
ST: At what point of the run did you get away from the others?
Peter: I was a touch slow getting in and out of T2 so I had to chase on to a lead group six in the first 200metres. After this I figured I would test the others rather than sit in so with a few surges I was able to drop the group down to myself and Ryan Fisher. Then we were able to work together to keep the pace on before I left him at about the 9km mark.
ST: Who was first to drop off the pace?
Peter: I am actually unsure, ultimately we started the run with about 12 guys, that was quickly made into 6 and then the 2 of us with Courtney Atkinson and Taylor Cecil not far behind.
ST: Did you look back at all?
Peter: A couple of times to assess how Courtney and Taylor were traveling, the risk of pushing early is that other guys find their legs later so just wanted to make sure we kept gaining time. Those two are too good to forget about.
ST: When you crossed the line in first place, was it everything you imagined?
Peter: I guess I couldn’t have imagined. I’d only talked with Ryan earlier that week about winning and both of us couldn’t really comprehend it even though we both had the ambition. I loved it, wish I high fived more people but ultimately it was just an ecstatic feeling to put it together and see the tape first.
ST: Were family members there or did you have to call them?
Peter: No, as much as mum would have driven up from Warrnambool that day to celebrate, I had to call. But close friends from Geelong and my second parents that are my housemates Brad and Eb were there so we had some fun with it.
ST: Did Atkinson, Gemmell or any of the other more seasoned Pros have any words of advice or were they just congratulating you?
Peter: Immediately after it was about congratulations, but after a few drinks there was advice from everywhere Sunday night!!
ST: I assume advice came also from folks who should not give any even if sober.
Peter: There is a saying on opinions that suggests everyone has one. I love it, some are that bad at suggestions they are entertaining. Some are colorful with a skin full of alcohol but the mood Sunday night amongst the people in Noosa was awesome. And in the end I did get some good bits in amongst it all
ST: So what is next?
Peter: For me I go into a bit of a break, look to rebuild for a 2013 season starting in February with Geelong sprint distance. I am really hoping to put myself out there competitively this next year. There’ll be a few local races in the mean time and some heavy training.
ST: Anything fun planned?
Peter: My brother’s wedding first, which I can’t wait for. Plus a few things that aren’t really on the cards when it comes to race season, maybe check in on how bad my golf swing is and bad I handle drinking. Catch up with people I used to know in a former life.
ST: Do you think in 2013 there will be quite a few more eyes on you, or is that all about what you do then?
Peter: Yes and no, hopefully there will be from a point of view of selection and sponsorship those are things I welcome. But for more people to watch me it’ll rely on more results like Noosa, hitting the podium and wins to get that attention that is needed. Not much will ultimately change what I do training and how I go about my business. I know what’s needed and I will be focused and doing just that primarily
ST: What is your favorite race venue and why?
Peter: Well now it has to be Noosa! I have good success there now twice, the place is everything beautiful and a really great vibe. Few spectacles to watch over the week it is awesome. If not Noosa, then Hamburg. The place is awesome, crowd even better and I had a great time with the German people, food, the lot!
ST: What German food hit the spot?
Peter: The breakfast goods were on song of course. I am a carnivore after all so Germany suits that!
ST: Explain Kerrballs to us.
Peter: Bit of a weird one, a mate of mine, Todd Smedts, shouted it out during the footy years of my life about year 8 so when I was 14 (I think from memory) it was kind of funny and rolled off the tongue so it stuck. Now when I say it to people I feel like it sounds rude but it’s not meant to be anything of a naughty sense, so I explain it as furballs/kerrballs. If someone’s got an idea for a more appropriate twitter name I’ll be open to it!
ST: Are you sure you want to get suggestion along those lines? Kerrballs might be the least offensive.
Peter: It is of course easier to leave it, but I do love a good nickname should anyone present one for me!
ST: All well with sponsors??
Peter: Product wise absolutely, what I use is what I consider the best and I have a great personal relationship with the guys I deal with. I like to manage these things myself because I think a sponsorship is about getting to know each other and enhance the relationship. I’ve got, Giant bikes, Engine goggles and swim gear (my first sponsor ever), Shotz Nutrition, Rocket Science Sports wetsuits, Adidas Eyewear (both myself and Ash were in Rocket Science gear and Adidas eyewear), Brooks Running and Skins Compression.
There is however a few major gaps from a “major sponsor” point of view. I really need to lock down at least 3 key sponsors. Triathlon isn’t the highest in prize money by comparison to others, not every day is Noosa pay day, so I am going to look in the off season at securing these and presenting myself as a career professional triathlete for years to come instead of “fringe dweller semi pro.”
ST: Anything else?
Peter: I always welcome new twitter followers and sponsors!
Peter Kerr's twitter account is @KerrBalls and here is a link to his blog.
