Up close with Jodie Stimpson

Jodie Stimpson had a great 2013 season with a win at Kitzbuehel and a second place overall in the ITU World Triathlon Series. The end of the year did not go as desired, but she is currently gearing up for 2014 in California with Darren Smith and the D Squad.

Slowtwitch: Thank you for the chat Jodie.

Jodie Stimpson: Thank you for chatting to me.

ST: How are the preparations going for the 2014 season?

Jodie: At the minute I am at a very testing phase for me, changing a lot of things technically in my swimming and running which is taking some time for me to get.

ST: Are there specific things you are working on that you can mention?

Jodie: I am really working hard on my swim technique at the minute and trying to get a better catch in the water and also my core is quite weak so I am working on trying to make this stronger and this will help me control things with my run and my ‘squiffy feet.’

ST: You came to San Diego in early January but is this the first time that you did an early season camp in the USA?

Jodie: Yes, it’s the first time I have been in San Diego, Chula Vista in January and I am loving the training out here to be honest. I do love the US anyway, but Chula Vista and a cool place to train.

ST: No complaints about the weather we assume.

Jodie: Not at all and apparently it’s the hottest January Chula Vista has had in a while and I am not complaining at all.

ST: There are a few new faces in the D Squad. Did you know everybody decently well?

Jodie: Not at all, there are 2 American girls Linsey and Jess and a NZ girl Anneka, who are the newbies to the group and they are all cool chicks and I am enjoying training with them.

ST: So how big is the crew right now?

Jodie: At the minute there are - I think 10 athletes. I am not going to name them all just in case I forget someone.

ST: It also looks like you recovered from that big pre-Christmas shiner.

Jodie: Yes thankfully, I wasn’t to keen on having a black eye over Christmas.

ST: How long did you look like a boxer after a fight?

Jodie: To be honest not for that long, I was looking like a boxer for about 2 weeks but I still have the little scar on top of my eye brow which I think will remain for a while.

ST: What exactly happened to you? I think you had both a bike crash and a car crash in December.

Jodie: And then I had some medical issues. I am still trying to sort out, I wrote a blog about it recently if any one is interested but I am on the mend, but I may still try to get some issues sorted.

ST: Word has it that in general you were glad to see that month of December go by.

Jodie: My god yes, I know how important consistent training is and December most definitely was not, it was a really hard time for me with a lot of tests and accidents. Not the best of months but it ended well with having a fantastic family Christmas.

ST: Looking back at the 2013 season however I would think you would be happy. And I assume the season highlight was Kitzbuehel.

Jodie: Yes you would be right, I couldn’t have dreamed of 2013 and to have that year was fantastic and finishing in London was amazing and I wont forget that in a while.

ST: Had you been checking out that new course prior and were you at all surprised by the difficulty?

Jodie: We had been training in Morzine in France, so were well prepared for the hill but I was still a little shocked by the climb once I drove up it with Darren. I hadn’t cycled up the climb I just left that for race day.

ST: Would you like to see more unique races like that one?

Jodie: Yes of course, but I think the ITU are doing a good job in moving this forward, NZ has everything in the course, hilly, technically some flat and the other races have a mixture but more course like Kitzbuehel would be cool.

ST: You ended up second in the final 2013 World Triathlon Series ranking and that meant a sweep of the top two spots by Great Britain. Was that something you envisioned going into the season?

Jodie: No way! The season was a learning year for me and working with Darren and to be honest there was no way I was thinking I would end up 2nd in the year. I still have so much more to learn which is what I am trying to do know which is the most challenging for me instead of just not thinking and just swim cycling running and actually thinking about doing things right.

ST: With 5 races now counting towards the total points, how will that impact your 2014 season?

Jodie: My main goal this year will be the Commonwealth games and of course I would love to do well in the series as well, so its just going to be a balancing act this year to make sure I do things right and the best I can do.

ST: Your first race is?

Jodie: Devonport.

ST: Why Devonport?

Jodie: I did this race last year and loved the race and its on my way to NZ which is perfect.

ST: All well with sponsors?

Jodie: I have a fantastic team around me and am proud to say Cervelo, Powerbar, TYR, will all be supporting me this year, as well as Oakley and Zipp. I am one lucky girl!

ST: Anything else we should know?

Jodie: I don’t think so, things are pretty boring on my front at the minute. Just training and getting through this phase as best I can, but I can’t wait to race season, it’s the part I love.

ST: Good luck Jodie and have a great season.

Jodie: Thank you very much and thank you for everyone who supports me.