This month you voted in your thousands for Joe Skipper, the winner of Challenge Weymouth 2014 to be your Triathlete of the Year. Skipper was consistently brilliant one the domestic scene in 2014 and is now fulfilling all that promise that he has shown over the last couple of years. We couldn’t be more delighted for him at winning this award.

Yesterday we heard from Jodie Swallow and today it is Joe’s turn.

Hi Joe, congratulations on being named the Beyond Going Long Triathlete of the Year 2014, what would you like to say to the readers who voted for you?

Thanks to everyone that voted fore it’s really great to get voted the triathlete of the year especially against athletes like Tim Don and Will Clarke who have performed very well this year.

There were loads of highlights for you this year, what stands out?

Coming 2nd at Ironman UK. I hate getting 2nd but this race was against a strong field and was the first time I felt as though I had raced to my potential. Up until this I felt I wasn’t able to reproduce what I knew I was capable of in training at a race.

Challenge Weymouth was also a big highlight as it was my first big professional win.

Your coaching set up is slightly different this year and you’ve been working with Mark Livesey at Functional Fitness. Tell us a bit about your set up and some insights into how you train.

I use Mark Livesey’ training software Xhale but I’ve always coached myself with a bit of advice from Paul Savage.

I’ve also been working with a nutritionist Oli Mathews and the gains have been massive, I’m eating more, am lighter and have loads if energy. With regards to my training I would say I train very hard but also very consistently no matter what. If I have a long ride planned and it’s terrible weather I’ll still be out. If I have an interval session I’ll be doing it. There are no excuses and my training is all geared to win, when I stand on that start like I have complete faith in what I’ve been doing and that I have done all I can do.

One thing I will say is a lot of long distance athletes neglect speed work where as I place a big emphasis on this side. I’ve been using my training methods on some of the athletes I coach and it’s great to see how well they are doing.

A quick word on Challenge Bahrain… you’ve been quite outspoken in the past about prize money and the state of pro triathlon. Challenge Family and the event organisers in the Middle East have put down what seems like a game changer. What’s your view on this and will you be out there racing?

I think what Challenge have done with Bahrain and the triple crown is fantastic and I hope to be racing there. I’ve applied to race bit as of yet haven’t heard anything back. If I get the opportunity I would like to be apart of it.

How is your 2015 season plans shaping up and where might we see you racing?

2015 is shaping up very well. I’m much fitter then the same time last year. I’m running 10-15 seconds a mile quicker in interval sessions and tempos. Cycling power is about what it was in February so I’m ahead in that aspect and with the swimming I’ve finally ditched the armbands and am making progress there as well!

It’s looking good and if all goes to plan I will be racing: Challenge Dubai, Ironman Florida 70.3, Ironman Texas 70.3 April, Ironman Texas, Ironman UK, Challenge Weymouth and Ironman World Championships.

There maybe a few more halfs thrown in there as well but these are looking like definites although Hawaii is provided I qualify and Dubai provided I get an entry. I would also like to do Challenge Oman but don’t know the date yet and Challenge Bahrain in December.

I would like to thanks all of my sponsors from this year Mail big File, Clif bar, pedal revolution, Xhale, Huub. I’ve got some exciting new announcements to make soon with regards to new sponsors for next year.