Skipper backed to derail the Norwegian hype train in Kona

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.

No average Joe

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.