TRI247
Search
shop
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION

Skipper confident Wales win hasn’t hampered Kona prospects

Joe Skipper is confident that his outstanding performance at IRONMAN Wales can be replicated in Kona

Staff Reporter
Last updated -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE

In his last YouTube video ahead of the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona next month, IRONMAN Wales winner Joe Skipper was thorough in his analysis of how his win in Tenby might impact his chances on the Big Island, whilst also divulging who he thinks his main competition is set to be.

Was Wales the pinnacle of his season?

When asked if he thought he’d left his best performance in Wales, Skipper was straight to the point. Whilst acknowledging the logic behind questioning the impact his win there might have had, Skipper was adamant that “fitness wise I am in a good place, but it all comes down to how well I adapt in the heat, as that has always been my limiting factor”.

Recognising the magnitude of his performance when taking the tape earlier in September, Skipper said: “Wales was probably my best ever IRONMAN performance in terms of looking at the numbers”, but also stressed that he believes: “I’ll be able to race as well if not even better in Kona”.

Reflecting on his previous experiences when racing back to back long distance events in close proximity, Skipper looked back on two separate occasions. Firstly, in 2019 Skipper raced IRONMAN Wales before heading out to Kona, where he finished a career best sixth at the World Championships.

However, Skipper believes that he “didn’t feel as good in Kona” in 2019, which was largely down to a run injury in the build up to Wales that meant the marathon there took a lot more out of him. This year, Skipper says: “I’ve done a lot more training and a lot more racing and I felt fresh going into Wales, and now that I’ve recovered from it I feel really fresh again”.

Secondly, Skipper recalls a more positive experience in 2021, where he finished second at IRONMAN Switzerland on September 5th, before three weeks later winning IRONMAN Chattanooga ahead of the likes of Lionel Sanders and Ben Hoffman, describing September 2021 as a time where “the second one went much better than the first”.

Advertisement

Skipper’s Kona challengers

When asked who he thought might be his main rivals in Kona, Skipper was quick to answer with one word, “Norwegians”. The UK favourite, who will be hoping to become the first British man ever to win the IRONMAN World Championships, recognises the challenge that Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden present, but will undoubtedly leave it all out there in October.

Joe Skipper 2022 photo credit IRONMAN Wales
[Photo credit: IRONMAN Wales]

The highest ever finish at the IRONMAN World Championships by a British man is third place, a feat achieved twice by David McNamee in 2017 and 2018. Following his incredible performance at IRONMAN Wales and his confidence that Kona could potentially go even better, Skipper looks like Britain’s best hope to challenge for a podium in the men’s field. After missing out on St George earlier in the year due to COVID, Skipper feels “I have a second chance” at the World title in Kona.

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Kyle Smith
Watt it takes to win at supertri E – a data dive into how deep the PROs have to dig
Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore - Beth Potter bike
The evolution of Esports in triathlon – How supertri brought virtual racing to the mainstream
Beth Potter Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore
Lightning fast splits and record breaking performances – relive some of the top moments from women’s supertri E racing
Lionel Sanders Arena Games Montreal game face on bike photo credit SLT
Countdown to supertri E – a look back at some of the most epic moments in men’s triathlon E racing
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
latest News
Lucy Charles-Barclay comes home second at the Miami T100.
Lucy Charles-Barclay ‘hungry’ for redemption at the second stop of the T100 Triathlon World Tour
Georgia Taylor-Brown WTCS Yokohama 2023 finish
World Triathlon Indoor Cup Lievin: Start time, preview, format and how to watch live
Kat Matthews PTO Tour US Open 2023
Kat Matthews shares details of race against time to recover from Miami T100 injury
Mixed Team Relay France podium WTCS Sunderland 2023 photo credit: World Triathlon / Petko Beier
World Triathlon confirm initial nine teams to qualify for Paris Olympic Games Mixed Relay
Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
British IRONMAN Champion on committing to professional triathlon and chasing a T100 Tour wildcard
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...