Olympic triathlete Tim Don revealed he will the pick the brain of his Scottish training partner and two-time UK champion Fraser Cartmell before switching to the gruelling Ironman discipline in 2009.

Inverness-born Cartmell, who is currently warm-weather training with Don in Stellenbosch, South Africa, specialises in the event which includes a 2.4mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run.

The 26-year-old captured consecutive UK Ironman 70.3 titles – the shorter form on the discipline - in 2007 and 2008 and finished 12th in the Long Distance Triathlon World Championships  in 2007 to enhance his reputation.

And Don, who suffered heartbreak in Beijing after going down with food poisoning three days before the race, admitted he would look to the Stirling Triathlon Club member to point him in the right direction.

“Fraser is a guy I usually train with for three or four months each winter and he knows pretty much everything there is to know about an Ironman event,” said Don.

“Hopefully I can pick up a few tips from him as I go along and he can help me out.

“I’m at a stage in my career where I need to keep things fresh if I’m to keep going with the same passion and desire – especially after what happened in Beijing.

“Fraser is a very talented guy who has done very well in the past – especially at the 70.3 discipline – so I’m sure I’ll be in good company when I take the start line in January.”