Search
shop

‘Worrying’ health scare rules Joe Skipper out of IRONMAN Florida

British star spends night in hospital and is now focussed on a full recovery as he ends his race season early.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

British long-course star Joe Skipper spent the night in hospital on Sunday and won’t race again this season.

He had been hitting good numbers in training in his build-up to this weekend’s IRONMAN event in Florida.

But writing on Instagram and speaking on the video which is embedded below, the 35-year-old explained what happened.

Advertisement

‘Not the end to the season I had hoped for’

“On Sunday while I was getting ready to head out for a ride I was trying to talk to a friend when I found myself unable to talk.

“I knew what I wanted to say but was unable to get it out, my memory also went and this is bad at the best of times but I found myself unable to remember ‘powerful pensioner’s’ name and many other people.

“I ended up going to hospital, getting a CT scan, staying the night, having more tests and was then given the all clear to leave.

“I’ve still got one more test to do but it’s looking good, all be it very worrying at the time. The doctors have said to take it easy for a few days and then I’ll be good to go as long as the last test shows nothing bad.

“Unfortunately not the end to the season I had hoped for. I won’t be in Florida racing this Saturday or Cozumel.”

‘You never know what’s around the corner’

Skipper had been hoping to end what had been a frustrating season in terms of results with a big performance in Florida and had been scheduled to fly out on Tuesday.

But speaking in the video he added: “It turns out that this can be a precursor to a migraine, where you can have something like this happen.

“I’d never known about this before and it’s very rare and would normally happen on older people. I have had a couple of migraines before but we’re talking two in ten years. It seems like that was what it was down to but obviously at the time it was very worrying and I’ve just got one more test to put that to bed and make sure that it was that and not anything more serious.

“So I’ll be having a bit of time off, chilling out with the family and then will build up to next year starting off with Oceanside and IRONMAN Texas and having a crack at the IRONMAN Pro Series.

“I know it sounds very cliche guys, but make sure you really do live your best life as you never know what’s around the corner!”

Everyone at TRI247 wishes Joe all the best with his continued recovery and we look forward to seeing him back in action next year.

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
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?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
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...