Huggett, 23, won his first state open title at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Multisport Festival on Saturday, in what will be his last event before the November 16 ironman.

His sole focus will now be on his hometown ironman event, with all his training to be dedicated towards just his second long-course event as a professional.

Jamie’s younger brother, Ben, finished 12th in the Yarrawonga triathlon and will next month be racing in his first professional ironman event.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better preparation really,” Jamie said.

“I felt really strong on the run leg which was good, there is no doubt the longer distance training I have been doing for Ballarat helped there.”

As opposed to the Olympic distance event at Yarrawonga (1500m swim, 38.8km ride and 10km run), the Ironman 70.3 Ballarat will incorporate a 1.9km swim, 90km bike course and 21km run.

Huggett said he was thrilled to win the Yarrawonga event, but it simply served as further preparation for the far more gruelling ironman.

“It was more of a preparation match to see how I’m going for Ballarat and as it turns out I went well,” he said.

“I was going to do other events but now I know where I am at I can just train as hard as possible then have an easy week off before the event.”

For Ben, his first full-length race as a professional brings an air of the unknown.

Both brothers have recently become brand ambassadors for Gove Cycles, which has financially backed them to become professionals.

They are also coached by their father, Dave.

“I’m not sure what to expect and how my body will react to the longer distance,” the younger of the two brothers said.

“I think I should be more suited to the longer distance but can’t really predict at this stage.

“I think if it all comes together on race day I should be able to come out of the water with the leaders and from there it will be just to try and keep up on the bike and hopefully have the legs on the run.”

Entry forms can still be submitted up until November 5.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au