Search
shop

Skipper backed to derail the Norwegian hype train in Kona

The Norwegian favourites have been slightly uneasy at the top of the betting on the IRONMAN World Championship
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Bookmakers betting on the men’s IRONMAN World Championship rate Joe Skipper as the biggest threat to Norwegian duo Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden.

Reigning IMWC champion Blummenfelt and double 70.3 IRONMAN hero Iden have topped the market ever since British firm Skybet released prices earlier this week.

But their odds have fluctuated – ‘Big Blu’ is now the 7/4 favourite but has been backed at as big as 3/1.

And Iden is into 9/4 having traded at 7/2.

Advertisement

No average Joe

Joe Skipper 2022 photo credit IRONMAN Wales
[Photo credit: IRONMAN Wales]

The biggest mover has been Brit Skipper, winner of IRONMAN Wales, who was a 12/1 chance when the market opened but is now 4/1 third best.

That sees him ahead of Challenge Roth hero Magnus Ditlev (6/1), St George runner-up Lionel Sanders (8/1), two-time Kona king Patrick Lange (9/1) and the likes of Braden Currie and Collin Chartier, who are both at 10/1.

And while conditions in Tenby (for IRONMAN Wales) could hardly be more different to Hawaii, Tim Don did describe it as potentially a “Kona-winning performance.”

The betting odds of course reflect the flow of funds – and a shortening of Skipper’s odds from 12/1 down to 4/1 certainly suggests he has plenty of supporters out there ready to put their money behind the Tenby champion. Did those early backers get themselves incredible value, or have Skybet’s customers – perhaps primarily UK-based – let patriotic support cloud their judgement? We’ll all find out on Saturday.

Meanwhile Skybet revealed that Chelsea Sodaro’s victory in the women’s race on Thursday was a good result for them, though they had a moment of concern when Fenella Langridge (backed from 40/1 into 9/1) led during the bike leg.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...