Jamie Whyte – catching a big one

January 23, 2011

With his win at the 2011 Challenge Wanaka event Jamie Whyte stepped into the triathlon limelight but that is most likely not the last title we'll see from this avid off-season angler. The friendly Kiwi had a few words with slowtwitch.

Slowtwitch: A big congrats on that nice win at Challenge Wanaka.

Jamie: Thanks very much guys. It was the perfect race for me and the perfect day with my family there watching. I am very very happy with how it all panned out.

ST: It must be especially nice to win at home in New Zealand.

Jamie: Yes, that was special. It was just my second Ironman distance race and my first on home soil. I also grew up in the southern part of New Zealand, so Wanaka is a very special place for me to get my first big win. The crowd was amazing and running up the finish chute to victory surrounded by friends, family and supporters is something I will never ever forget.

I had a perfect build up for the race based at my parents place in Queenstown (45 minute drive from Wanaka). My coach Gordon Walker had done an exceptional job of designing a training regime to get me peaking for Wanaka. I nailed every session and took a lot of confidence into the race.

ST: Talk about your race day.

Jamie: I could not have asked for the race to unfold any better for me. I led out of the water after applying some pressure early in the swim and establishing a lead group of three. Then I set my race up with an exceptionally good ride. J osh Rix from Australia and I rode together for the first 120km and were able to create a decent gap to the chase group. But as Josh started to fade into the head wind after Cromwell and with chase group starting to close in, I decided to ride away solo and stay committed to taking a lead into the marathon. The last 50km into that wind was extremely hard so I was pretty happy to come off the bike still holding onto a 4-minute lead. For only my second marathon, the run went pretty smoothly. I was able to settle into some rhythm early on without any pressure from the chasers. I wasn’t running fast but nobody was in these conditions. With 2km to go, I got my last split of 6 minutes to 2nd, then I relaxed and enjoyed the finish chute for what was the most amazing experience!

ST: Looking at the finish times makes it appear that the course was quite tough.

Jamie: For sure. Wanaka is always going to be a tough course. Even without the wind we had on Saturday the course is tough. The lake water is definitely a little chilly, the roads are pretty heavy going with large chip seal and the run is about 70-80% off road. All these factors make for a very challenging course in itself and when combined with the brutal southern winds that blew on race day, I really do take my hat off to all the amateur athletes that got themselves through it. Great effort!

ST: Having been up front all day, did you find it mentally taxing to worry about what is going on behind you or do you prefer that versus the hunt for the lead?

Jamie: I found myself in a position where I just had to stay at the front and continue to increase the gap. It was a great position to be in, so mentally it was very encouraging. I was a little bit worried about moving away solo on the bike into that head wind, but in the end it was a very good decision. Looking back I wouldn’t want the race to have unfolded any differently.

ST: When you talk about having to ride solo from 120k on, some folks say, what is the big deal, can't draft anyway. How much of an advantage do you think it is to be draft legal with someone else?

Jamie: Into a head wind like we got on Saturday there are physical benefits from sitting 7-10 meters behind someone. But the mental benefits are also significant as you can keep each other going and motivated.

ST: At what point did you think this title is yours?

Jamie: I got a time split at about 100km on the bike that the gap was out to 7 minutes to the chase group. At that stage I thought things were going very well. But the gap had closed back down to 4-minutes at T2 so I still had to run well to stay ahead. It wasn’t until about the 30km mark on the run that I realized I was actually putting time into the chasers with the gap at 5 minutes and increasing. It was then I felt confident.

ST: The other guys on the podium were actually quite a bit older than you. Is that somewhat of an inspiration to you?

Jamie: Oh definitely. Most of the top Ironman athletes are in their mid-30’s. So with a win under my belt before I turn 30, I hope there are many to come over the years to follow.ST: So what is next on your schedule?

Jamie: I am taking a break for the moment. My build up for this season started back in September when I was preparing for the Taiwan 70.3 (where I finished 2nd) so it has already been a long enough season. I will then start my build up for the northern hemisphere season. I am in talks with the organizers about heading up to do Challenge Roth as my other Ironman for the year. Then I will target half Ironman event both in Europe, North America and Asia.

ST: Why Challenge Roth as your possible summer Northern Hemisphere highlight?

Jamie: Everything I have seen and heard about this race is amazing. It is one of the true classic Ironman distance races. The crowds are as good as you can experience anywhere in the world. If there is a good opportunity for me to compete in this race I will take it and target it as my focus race for the middle of the year.

ST: Talk about your athletic background and who or what inspired you to race triathlons?

Jamie: My origins in the sport of triathlon are a little unconventional compared to most elite athletes. Growing up in southern New Zealand, rugby was the sport of choice for most boys, including me. I played 1st XV rugby (top level high school team) and represented my region in a team that became South Island Champions in 1999 (a team which included some current All Blacks). I finally stopped playing rugby at the age of 22. However feeling the need to stay fit, I completed the run leg for a team at a half ironman. A local triathlon legend, Sid Cummings, then encouraged me to compete in a few more triathlons over that summer and I did enough to get an age group spot for the 2003 world champs in Queenstown, New Zealand. This seemed a big deal at the time and was the catalyst to take triathlon more seriously.

After completing my university degree I took a job in Auckland and began to train with the likes of Cameron Brown. He has been hugely encouraging and I have learnt so much from training with him. Since then, the passion has grown and I have slowly been climbing the ranks.

ST: Brownie is such a quiet person, did he inspire you more so through his actions or is he much more outgoing when he is at home?

Jamie: Definitely through his actions. He is a true professional in the way he goes about his training. He doesn't worry about talking about what he is going to do – he just gets it done, and gets it done very well.

ST: Do you think rugby gave you some unique skills maybe especially useful during the swim?

Jamie: Ha, good question. I have never thought of that. Physically I do not think there is any cross over between the two sports. But I was always playing school boy rugby at a high level and if anything it taught me the value of winning and being competitive.

ST: Until Challenge Wanaka, what would you say was your biggest success?

Jamie: Pre-Challenge Wanaka I have had multiple top 5 finishes on the Ironman 70.3 circuit but without a doubt this tops all of them! My 2nd place at the Taiwan 70.3 in 2010 and my 3rd place in the Calgary 70.3 in 2009, were both breakthrough results at the time.

ST: How are things going for you in terms of sponsorship?

Jamie: Things are slowly getting better but it’s not easy. I still work a day job as a land surveyor to stay afloat and save up enough money to travel to the Northern hemisphere and compete each year. So I am really still on the search for that big sponsor(s) that will allow me to train full time and really make some performance gains. Potential sponsors can find my contact details at jamiewhyte.co.nz.

I do have some key product sponsors that allow me to use the top of the range products and services:
Cervelo New Zealand have recently come on board with a new P3 with Reynolds wheels and 3T bars.

Biosport are an excellent biomechanic sports conditioning clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. I have made some significant performance gains using their services during 2010. Blueseventy have been excellent in keeping my swim times down and Hammer Nutrition in fuelling me through races. I also love using Speedplay pedals and ISM saddles – all excellent products for Ironman and Half Ironman racing!

ST: Can you share with us some of your food likes and dislikes?

Jamie: I definitely have a bit of a sweet tooth – especially after big sessions, anything goes. And I love the southern New Zealand seafood – fresh blue cod, paua, Bluff oysters and scallops are always a special meal when in the south.

I’m not a big fan of spicy foods; I love the flavors but just can’t handle the burn.

ST: What music do you like?

Jamie: Mainly rock – the Foo Fighters go down well on hard wind trainer sessions! I also enjoy a few kiwi bands -Shihad, Op Shop and Midnight Youth.

ST: What was the last book you read?

Jamie: Steve Price – Be Your Best. He is an Australian Rugby League legend. He is a great role model for any sportsman. Get Carter, Hamish Carter’s book, was also an inspirational read and Andre Agassi’s Open is next on my list.

ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Jamie: Happily married to my beautiful fiancée, Fiona and on top of my game as an Ironman athlete and making a sustainable and enjoyable living from the sport.

ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?

Jamie: That I live in the most beautiful country in the world and I think that everyone should make time to get to the most stunning Iron distance race in the world – Challenge Wanaka!!

Jamie Whyte's website is jamiewhyte.co.nz