Katherine and Paul chat with Moose Racing's "Dutchy" prior to the start of the 2010 Ironman GNCC.
How did you meet?
We met in class actually. I sat next to Paul in class. It was our last year at high school and it just carried on from there. So I guess we are high school sweet hearts.
How long have you been together?
A long time! 14 years I think. We have been married for the last 2 of those years.
What’s your day job?
I’m a registered nurse.
Did you grow up around racing?
No I didn’t grow up around racing.
Do you know how to ride?
Yes but I’m a beginner, I call myself a putter. But I have all the gears that make me look fast. I have one bike in America, a YZF 125 and one here in New Zealand a KLX 140. Matt from MSR hooked me up with gear and Paul’s sponsor Darbis hooked me up here in New Zealand with some Sidis. Now with all this gear I need to go faster!
Rain or shine, Katherine is out on the course and in the pits helping Whibs however she can.
What’s your role on race day?
I help Paul with all off the bike stuff, so he can concentrate on racing. So making sure he is watered, fed, gear is ready (camel back, hemet, goggles etc). I try to get to as many places as I can with a pit board, so I get a map and sort locations, then inform during the race how the the race is going: results, rider time differences, how many laps, and the all-important when to gas. Also being there for the gas stop.
Favorite pit board message?
With all the hard work that goes into this, it is rewarding to write ’1st,’ but I don’t have a favorite message as such.
Favorite part about coming to the races?
Meeting people, the atmosphere at the races and catching up with the “regulars” of the race circuit.
Your least favorite?
That is definitely the travel.
Favorite track destination?
Snowshoe- its nice to go to a place that isn’t in a field in the middle of no where. The scenery is pretty cool too. I also like Crawfordsville for the atmosphere, I think everyone is excited as it’s the last race. Well I know I usually am!
Do you help out with anything during the week before or after a race?
As I don’t work as such for an income while in the States, I’m able to help with the clean up of everything involved at the race except the bike, I don’t touch the bike. I treat it as my job. During the week I still clean practice stuff too. Help with training where I can–pit boarding during riding sessions or riding my bike so he can lap me, go to gym with or try and do some of his plyometric sessions, but anyone who knows about these understands why I try to get out of them. A local boy Devon usually steps up for those. I am there to help where ever I can.
We're pretty sure Katherine burns as many calories running around the track and to the pits as Paul does racing!
Does your guy have any pre-race superstitions?
No, none that I can think of.
What do you guys do for fun on non-race-weekends?
Non-race-weekend? That is funny. I think I can count on one hand this year the free weekends we had. With all the travel we do, I actually like to do as little as possible. Its nice to stay home. But we did get to Myrtle Beach a couple of times and out on the lake with Randy and his family.
What’s one thing your guy likes or likes to do that not many people would know about?
Listening to hard core/alternative music, he’s also into hunting.
Most memorable moment at the races?
Crossing the finishing line at Crawfordsville in 2009 to take the number one plate.
