During his time in Europe, the 19-year-old trained with the Dimensione Dello Sport triathlon team, who are based in Settimo Milanese just outside Milan.

"I settled in nicely into Italy and the team," Whittington said.

"I felt a part of the team the moment I landed and formed relationships from the start.

"It took a few days to get over the jet lag but after a week I settled into a routine and jumped back into structured training."

The Vincentia High School alumnus opened his competitions with a fifth place at the Milan Deejay Sprint Triathlon.

This was followed by a 10th at the Bardolino Olympic triathlon and 15 at the Superleague Triathlon Poznan, before he broke through and won the Parma Sprint Triathlon.

Whittington then backed it up with a sixth at the Lecco Sprint Triathlon, before claiming line honours at the Cernobbio Sprint Triathlon.

He wrapped up his time abroad with a 29th in the Torino Gran Prix.

Despite these results, Whittington wasn't overly happy with what he produced.

"I wasn't too happy with some of my results, as I didn't perform to what I'm capable of," he said.

"I also did struggle with the humidity and heat I was up against at the major events I was hoping to have standout results."

In the same vein though, Whittington has taken plenty of positives from the experience.

"My three month stay in Europe has highlighted some areas for improvement and it has made me hungrier, as I know I'm capable of competing at the top level of triathlon," he said.

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"My time over there also gave myself an understanding of what training works for me as an individual which is great moving forward.

"I enjoyed the whole experience and I'm grateful for the opportunity and I look forward to heading overseas again next year."

Whittington will now shift his focus to a number of events closer to home, starting with the Osaka Castle Asian Cup - Sprint at the end of September.

He will then race at the Nepean Triathlon non-draft at the end of October and Noosa Triathlon Olympic non-draft on the first weekend on November.