Search
shop

Joe Skipper goes from ‘undercover’ to centre stage in bid to beat Blu

Skipper on Blummenfelt and Sunday's Sub7 bid
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Joe Skipper has yet to meet Kristian Blummenfelt in person – but that will come soon enough with the British star stepping in for a Sub7 glory bid in Germany on Sunday.

Skipper replaces the injured Alistair Brownlee for the ground-breaking showdown near Dresden, in the process rekindling a war of words with the Norwegian Olympic Champion.

The banter between the pair was a fun subplot to the start of the 2022 season with Skipper saying people should not get caught up with the ‘Norwegian Hype Train’ – led by Blummenfelt and compatriot Gustav Iden.

Blummenfelt of course fired back and we had a rivalry. Now, at last that rivalry will play out on an actual racetrack. Skipper of course missed out on the chance to take on Blu at the IRONMAN World Championship in St George after being laid low by COVID.

Skipper a secret agent?

While the pair have yet to meet face to face, Joe has spoke to Kristian – and may already have some inside intel on the newly-crowned full-distance king.

He said: “I don’t actually think I’ve met him in person, [I] spoke to him on the phone because my mate was training with him the other day, just by chance.

“We were talking to him in the car and I think he thinks now that we’ve kind of gone undercover and been stealing his secrets, because he was telling us some of the plans for the team, having a bit of a chat.

“And then next thing you know I end up turning up and end up racing against him.

“And he’s probably thinking ‘the little snake, he’s been talking to me getting all the plans and he’s tricked me’, because my friend met him while he was in Amsterdam training with his pacemakers. But it’s just how things turned out.”

Blu taking Skipper tips

Skipper will definitely inject some humour into this week’s proceedings as well as fresh spice into Sunday’s race. He reckons Big Blu already listens to his podcast for tri tips!

“I’ll see him when he gets here, it’s be good to see him face to face. He actually listens to a podcast that we do, so we’ve been helping him out with lots of tips.

“I gave him some tips to help him win the Olympics and St. George so he owes me a thank you for that.”

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
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Triathlon superstar Sam Laidlow went from near DNS at Challenge Roth to epic glory
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
Supertri Toronto 2025: How to watch live as Alex Yee makes his triathlon return
Dan Lorang Head of Performance BORA - hansgrohe
Touching and heartfelt tribute from Anne Haug’s coach after she announces triathlon retirement
Sam Long - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
‘No No No’ – culture shock and bike crash for American star Sam Long in Italy
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Chicago 2024 photo credit supertri
Georgia Taylor-Brown on enjoying her busy “year off” and wanting “to go out on a bit of a high”
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...