Following a season where he won Commonwealth gold and silver medals and recorded a career-best third-place finish in the Triathlon World Series, the 23-year-old has spent the past three months at home gearing up for a new season.

During that time he has also taken on an ambassadorial role with Triathlon Tasmania, helping to promote a round of schools triathlons as well as a smattering of events in the state’s North.

Just three weeks after a pair of Northern triathletes won the chance to compete with Birtwhistle at the Devonport duathlon, Launceston’s Jack Duffy will become the latest to team up with the former Riverside High student at this weekend’s race in George Town.

Jack, who lives with cerebral palsy spastic paraplegia, will complete the bike leg alongside father Chris, while Birtwhistle will tackle the swim. 

The run leg will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the Duffys’ Just Like Jack charity, which aims to provide children living with a disability the chance to take on new adventures.

“I think Sunday’s going to be pretty cool, to team up with Jack,” Birtwhistle said.

“It’s pretty inspiring what him and his father are doing and what they’ve done before, it’s cool to see them involving themselves in triathlon and I’m pleased to be a part of that.”

The Duffys have completed marathons, Point to Pinnacle, the Overland Track and a kayak trek from Launceston to Hobart in the past, and will enter the world of triathlons for the first time on Sunday with an eye on competing in multiple races in 2019. 

“It’s very exciting, it’s great to be invited to come along by the Launnie Tri Club because we’re aiming to get into triathlons next year,” Chris said. 

“Jake is doing the swim leg which is fantastic - hopefully he’ll get us a good lead out and we’ll lose it in about one minute, but it’s exciting stuff and great for Jake to put his hand up to be a part of it.”

Sunday’s event will be the first State Series race of the season and should see 100 competitors take part.

For Birtwhistle the race presents another chance to compete in a team – something he’s used to doing for Australia but less so in his home state. 

“It’s a bit different for me to do both of those two races as a team instead of individually but it’s been a nice change for me, something a bit different,” he said.

“My first triathlon was in Beauty Point, so a similar one to this weekend in George Town.

“That and the schools events is where it all began for me and it’s good to get involved with those events again and to see young students getting involved in the sport, getting active and enjoying themselves.”

Ali Foot took out LTC’s first race of the season in October – also held in George Town – and is expected to return to York Cove on Sunday.

LTC reigning club champion Will Blackaby has had two weeks free of college exams and hopes to provide some competition for the former world champion rower. 

“I went for a swim this morning and I surprised myself with how good I was feeling,” Blackaby said. 

“Ali’s moving well at the moment and I think he went for a ride with Richie [Porte] this morning.”

Ava Wheatley was another who tasted victory at York Cove in October, placing first in the junior women’s race.

Danika Bumford took out the open category with Pia Austin and Kathy La Fauce not far behind.

“I’ve been training for my first ironman in March so I’ve been focusing a lot on the longer sessions and longer races .. but it’s fun and I’m really excited and it should be a good race,” Wheatley said. 

“If Ella Boxhall races she’ll go well and I think Zia Mitchelmore is racing from Hobart … it’s hard to know who’s going to be there but there’s some great competitors.” 

Racing starts at 8.15am, with transition open from 7am.