The former Vincentia High School student took out race three of the 2XU Triathlon Series in St Kilda, in a time of 1:06:50.1, edging out Cassidy Shaw (1:07:11.5) and Kurt McDonald (1:07:14.1) for top spot.

“The swim was a beach start and I had to run and dolphin dive a good 30 metres to find deep water,” Whittington said.

“My race plan was to find the feet of the faster guys, which would set me up in the front group.

“The pace was on to get away from quite a large group of elite males and elites juniors.

“By the first can of the swim course shaped in a rectangle, a small group had formed.

“Up until the second buoy, I was just sitting on other’s feet, in around sixth place.

“As soon as we turned the second buoy, I made a dash for the beach exit to get some room and race up to transition, to have a clear run to get my bike.”

After the 19-year-old finished the swim leg in a time of 9:30.5 and in fourth spot, he started his attack on the bike – which he clocked a time of 39:01.0.

“I hit the bike leg in second position, behind training partner Max Stapley,” Whittington said.

“Our lead group of 12 had quite a lead on the chase group, by more than a minute, and around five of us pulled turns for around the first five to 10 minutes, which eventually fell apart as a few wouldn’t pull through.

“My mindset was if everyone else doesn’t wanting to work, I’m not going to break myself, as there was $2000 on the line for winning.

‘The second pack bridged up to our group and we had a huge group.

“At the 20km mark, Johnny Sammut went off the front and stayed away and managed to put 25 seconds into us by transition two (T2).

“I raced into transition third from our group and bolted onto the run in pursuit.

“My training partner Max and I were eager to chase down Johnny and we achieved that at the 2km mark.

“I then passed Johnny and managed to make a gap on Max and another competitor.

“When I went past Johnny, I thought he might react and come with me but he didn’t.

“I just pinned the ears back and kept the pace on until the finish line was insight, as I knew there were quality runners in pursuit.

“I crossed the line with a 20 second lead and fastest run split by 10 seconds (16:04.3) – I was over the moon.”

Crossing the line in first at the January 16 event, which was a sprint event (750m swim 26.7km ride and 5km run), has put Whittington in a strong frame of mind that he can have his best season to date in the arena.

“Winning St Kilda has boosted my confidence that I can mix it with top athletes,” he said.

“It has also given myself a good indication of where my form is at, as I’ve only been back from a break for close to eight weeks.

“This win sets me up perfectly [for the season], as I feel I have more potential in myself, as I haven’t reached full fitness.

“Hopefully as I get stronger and faster from the next training block and fingers crossed I can build on this and bag a few results.”

Next up for Whittington is the Australia Day Aquathon, held at Wollongong Harbour.

This will be followed by a final hit-out at the Huskisson Triathlon Festival, before travelling to Devonport, Tasmania in March to compete in the Oceania Sprint Triathlon Championships Racing in the elite/elite under 23s event.

If you’re interested in supporting Whittington on his sporting journey, please contact him via: troywhittington99@gmail.com