Search
shop

Joe Skipper provides Lake Placid debrief and reveals masterplan for IMWC Nice

Big confidence booster ahead of that massive day in Nice
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Joe Skipper is bang on course for an IRONMAN World Championship bid in Nice in September after a confidence-boosting success in Lake Placid on Sunday.

The 35-year-old British star claimed his first victory of 2023 as he held off Ben Hoffman and Matt Hanson for an impressive success in a time of 8:03:46.

Afterwards Skipper provided a detailed debrief of his day, beginning with the swim.

He explained: “The swim was probably okay, four minutes behind Josh. I was out with Matt Hanson, which I was where I was hoping to be. It would have been good to have Cody and Ben with us as well because I knew they were two big threats as well, but they gapped us and I think had a couple of minutes out of the water.”

Advertisement

Skipper puts hammer down

The bike was where Skipper really took control of the race, first bridging up to join the front pack and then making a break as they headed towards T2.

“On the bike I just felt like I was riding really well, the legs felt good, the power was good and it felt like I was pretty aero, so going quite well. When I caught the guys at 60k, I decided to sit in for a bit and see how they were going. And just pick the right opportunity to try and put a breakaway in. I just kind of got a sense that there was a good time to go.

“Josh started putting a bit of a dig in and I saw people were struggling to close the gap. So I just thought I would do 20-25 minutes really hard on the uphills and round the town centre, sprinting out of the corners, and we managed to get away.

“Then I knew it was going to be a case of just working together with Josh, hoping we could ride smooth and just put as much time in to Matt and Ben and Cody as possible.”

If Skipper had felt really good during the bike leg, he had a much more nervous time early on the run. Through forces outside of his control.

Run was ‘absolutely horrendous’

He revealed: “Out on the run, to be honest it was absolutely horrendous, as I didn’t get any time splits. I thought at 5.5miles I was going to have about 4 minutes on Ben Hoffman, and when I saw 1:50 that was a bit of a downer to be honest. I was thinking he must have taken at least a minute out of me already, and I was like ‘this is gonna be very tough’.

“Then I got a split at about the halfway point, once you get to the out bit on River Drive, and I think I was 1:40. I thought right, the crucial bit now is from 13 to 18 miles. So I hit it really hard, pushed out for 5 miles, and the gap went out to 2:20. I was like I think I can hold on now. I was doing the maths in my head and I’m thinking ‘God I can lose 20 seconds a mile’. But yeah, he really made me work for that.”

Skipper reveals Nice prep

Now Skipper will take a short break to spend time with his wife and their baby daughter, before starting his final preparation for that massive day in Nice on September 10.

“It’s a decent confidence booster, I’ll go home, take a week easy, help the missus out because we’ve got our first child now. Going away for a week, I think I’m going to be on dad duty. So it’s gonna be pretty busy when we go back.

“Then in August going to Font-Romeu in the Pyrenees, do some altitude training. Then go to Nice two weeks before the race, practice out on the course. Similar prep to what I did for IRONMAN Wales last year, when I had probably my best ever Ironman race.

“So that will be the plan leading to Nice.”

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
Challenge Family Jort Vlam CEO
“It’s not just for nutty people who train 40 hours a week!” Jort Vlam on taking triathlon mainstream and why he’s still inspired to keep growing the sport
Chain hanging to dry after waxing
PremiumSwitching to a waxed chain could take minutes off your Ironman bike split, without riding any harder – and here’s why
PremiumAre women better than men at long distances? We uncover the truth once and for all
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Sian Rainsley Vitus
PremiumThreshold or VO2 max? The best type of intervals for triathletes who want to get faster
latest News
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Lionel Sanders on his way back – but Nice too soon so sights set on new targets
Adam Peaty photo credit Aquatics GB
Gordon Ramsay, Adam Peaty and Harry Judd face Olympic challenge at T100 London
James Elvery / RaceRanger
RaceRanger anti-draft tech set to be added to motos by next season reveals CEO
Taylor Knibb congratulates Julie Derron at T100 San Francisco 2025
T100 London 2025: Date, start times and how to watch two epic races LIVE
Hayden Wilde Alex Yee Olympic Games Triathlon Paris 2024
Welcome shock as Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde renew rivalry on the French Riviera
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.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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...