The softly spoken Swiss duathlete Andy Sutz is one of the most versatile duathletes on the racing circuit at the moment. Earlier this year he impressively added the European Short Course title to his 2008 Powerman World Championships win. To be a champion over the drafting and non-drafting formats, over vastly different distances, has only ever been achieved by the legend Benny Vansteelant. I caught up with Andy a few days before this year’s race in Zofingen.

TL Andy, you became a professional duathlete for the first time this year, can you tell us how you got into the sport of Duathlon. I presume you come from a running or cycling background?

AS I started both sports at the same time. There was a triathlon in my hometown but I didn’t really enjoy the swim so I suppose for that reason I naturally progressed into Duathlon.

TL You have been gaining consistent results over the Powerman distance for a long time now with your first race being Powerman Weyer in 2004. The last 12 months have been a breakthrough year for you with your World Powerman Champion title and a European Short Course gold in Budapest. Was this a result of a change to your training?

AS No, not at all. There have been a few small changes however I believe my success has been simply a result of consistent, hard training over the last few years. Zofingen is a very good course for me as there is a lot of climbing on the bike and run. I compete for Switzerland at Mountain Running so that provides a sound base for the Zofingen course.

TL I have to say I was initially surprised when I saw that you had won the European Short Course Championships this year. You managed to get away on the bike with Laurent Galinier of France and you both put over two minutes into the chasing pack. Were you surprised with the result especially considering it was a flat, fast course?

AS Yes, I was really surprised. I knew that I was in good form, especially on the bike, but I never thought that we would be able to build up a lead that big. I think it was just the right time to attack and with the right person.

TL Which had more meaning for you; the World Powerman title last year or the European Championships win this year?

AS That is a very difficult question. I thought that winning at Zofingen was the more attainable of the two however the win in Budapest was certainly more of a surprise.

TL Up until recently you have been training in St Moritz? Along with Font Romeu it is one of the premier European altitude training locations. How do you find the training there?

AS I really like it but unfortunately I couldn’t train much there because after four to five days I fell over while running in the mountains with a friend at 3000m above sea level and hit my knee on a rock. I had to have some stitches so couldn’t train for a week and a half. I eventually started cycling again but still couldn’t run for a few days.

TL Do you do most of your training on your own?

AS I would say it’s about half and half. I especially enjoy training with friends. To have people to do your running sessions and cycling with is very good for your motivation, makes the training more enjoyable, and pushes you further.

TL Are you planning to do the World Short Course Championships in America after Zofingen?

AS Zofingen will be the end of my season. Last year I competed in the World Championships in Rimini three weeks after Zofingen. I was not in good form and it wasn’t really much fun. I actually find that if I train for the longer distance I’m quick over the short distance too, especially on the bike. But Zofingen takes a long time to recover from because of the hills on the run so I won’t be in Concord for the Worlds. Unfortunately Zofingen and the World Short Course Championships in Edinburgh are on the same weekend in 2010. This is a shame as I really enjoyed the course in Edinburgh in 2007.

TL Moving on to Zofingen this year - I don’t think you’ve ever beaten Joerie Vansteelant in a long distance Duathlon however Zofingen is a complete unknown for Joerie, whereas you know that you are very competitive over the extended distance. Your second run was very strong last year; with Joerie’s known bike strength is it the second run where you believe your chance lies to successfully defend your title?

AS Joerie is very strong on the bike and I don’t know his plans, whether he’s going to attack at the beginning of the bike or later in the race. If we come into the second transition together for the 30km run I believe I will have a good chance to win because of the hilly course. I know Joerie has trained all year for this race and he will be in good form.

TL How has your preparation for Zofingen being going?

AS My preparation has being going well, especially on the bike. I’m not sure about my running; I don’t feel as strong as last year. Because of the nature of the run you don’t need as much speed as some courses so if I feel strong I don’t see why I couldn’t run to the same standard as I did last year.

TL The men’s start list this year is one of the strongest of recent times. We’ve already mentioned Joerie Vansteelant however Richard Usher from New Zealand who was recently third at Quelle Challenge Roth, and Anthony Le Duey who has had much success over the years in Duathlon races of all distances and beat Joerie in his home race of Powerman Belgium, are also going to be competing. Are there any other competitors you will have your eyes on?

AS I think this is the strongest field for the last five to six years. The other athletes I will be watching are Jason Spong from South Africa (winner of Powerman Malaysia in 2008), Dominque Duchene from France (third in Zofingen in 2008) and Axel Nielsen from Denmark who is very tough and quick on the second run if he’s having a good day.

TL Finally, a quick question away from the sport. In an interview from after Zofingen last year I read that you are a trained boat builder. This is rather unusual career to pursue in the small, landlocked, mountainous country, far from the sea that is Switzerland. However I do recall that the Swiss Team of Alinghi have won the last two America’s Cup. Is it something you still do or hope to do in the future?

AS I’m not sure what the future will bring but it is an interest of mine. I’m particularly interested in building boats with wood as it’s a lot nicer to work with than the modern materials the boat industry use.

TL Thanks Andy, and good luck for the coming weekend.