Search
shop

British star Joe Skipper announces his comeback race will be in ‘the crisp packet triathlon’

Having taken time out to get firing on all cylinders again, popular British star is poised for his racing return in Tennessee.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Joe Skipper is set to make his racing return at IRONMAN Chattanooga at the end of this month.

The British star has endured a frustrating run of results over the last 12 months, with his victory at IRONMAN Lake Placid in July 2023 the last time he was on a podium.

And it was his return to that race this season – when he was a DNF – which prompted him to take a break and rule himself out of chasing qualification to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, where he’s twice finished fifth.

Advertisement

Time out for Skipper

He had said after that display: “I’m absolutely gutted and just really down. I was looking forward to this race and my training had gone really well so I was very confident of putting together a great race.

“I will be taking some time off now, I’m going to get some blood tests done to see if there’s anything up with me as I’ve been so inconsistent in races and rarely feel like my normal self in races.

“I don’t know when I will race again as I’m going to just concentrate on feeling better and when I am confident I can race like myself I’ll be back on a start line.

Joe Skipper IRONMAN Lake Placid Results 2023
Joe Skipper wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2023 (Patrick McDermott, Getty Images for IRONMAN).

“As you can probably gather this means no Kona but to be honest that’s probably a good thing as I can just take my time to get myself back firing on all cylinders and not force it.”

Perfectly suited to Skipper skillset

The good news for Joe and his many fans is that the comeback starts on Sunday September 29 at IRONMAN Chattanooga, in what he dubbed “the crisp packet triathlon”.

Explaining why in his latest YouTube video, which is embedded below, he said: “It’s basically a downstream swim and a packet of Doritos can do it in under an hour! So it suits perfectly to my skillset of being strong on the bike and strong on the run – but the swim is a weakness.”

Even the race’s website describes the opening of the event as taking “a plunge into the fast-flowing Tennessee River.”

Advertisement

Who else is racing in Chattanooga?

Sam Long is another man for whom swimming isn’t his strongest suit and he’s the highest-ranked athlete on the start list.

He too will be missing Kona this year, but in contrast to Skipper he’s racked up an impressive array of results with two wins and three others podiums, which have helped him to number three in the latest PTO standings.

He’s also going well in the T100 but is bypassing the latest race in Ibiza which takes place the same weekend as Chattanooga.

Also slated to race in Tennessee is Long’s fellow American Trevor Foley, who succeeded Skipper as IRONMAN Lake Placid champion and has a Kona berth as a result.

Chattanooga offers two slots for the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship – which will take place in Nice.

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
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Alex Yee Cassandre Beaugrand gold medals supertri Boston photo credit supertri
WTCS French Riviera 2025: Date, start times and how to watch Yee and Beaugrand in races of the season so far
Georgia Taylor Brown T100 London 2025 bike
Olympic superstar GTB looking to learn from London at T100 French Riviera
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 French Riviera 2025: Date, start time, who’s racing and how to watch live
Jeanne Lehair Georgia Taylor Brown Fanni Szalai Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 women’s results: Lehair holds off Olympic star Taylor-Brown
Alberto Gonzalez Garcia wins Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 men’s results: Speedy Gonzalez Garcia STUNS the big names
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...