Search
shop

Skye Moench: Team USA ‘written off’ ahead of Collins Cup

"Team Europe are surely the favourite," so say many in the triathlon community. However, Team USA's Sky Moench believes the American squad has been 'written off'.
Last updated -

Team USA’s Sky Moench believes the American squad has been ‘written off’ ahead of the inaugural Collins Cup.

Much of the talk going into the competition has been the strength of the Team Europe roster – on the men’s side they have five of the top ten in the Professional Triathletes’ Organisation (PTO) rankings and six of the top nine on the women’s side.

“There’s not a lot of pressure on us,” summarised the 32-year-old who is the highest ranked women’s athlete on the Team USA roster.

“I think we’ve been a little bit written off, we have a lot of great athletes and at the end of the day everyone is human.”

Advertisement

Olympic additions a smart move

Two of her teammates formed part of the Olympic triathlon team at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Katie Zafares and Taylor Knibb earned Mixed Relay silver in Japan with the former also taking home bronze in the individual event.

Both are relative newcomers to the middle distance triathlon scene, but their short course speed – especially on the swim – could put pressure on those more accustomed to the Collins Cup distance.

“I think the captain picks on the women’s side, the Olympians, was a really smart move.

“Those women are going to be incredible, I’m excited to see how they do.”

From race wins to hospital

It has been a tough few years for the American. After several stunning displays in 2019, Moench was readying herself for a tilt at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, but fate had other ideas.

“2019 was really a breakthrough year for me, I was on pretty much every podium at every race I did, won a couple of races including the European Championship in Frankfurt, and my first 70.3 win as well – so it was a big breakthrough, really exciting time. 

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - JUNE 30: Skye Moench of USA celebrates after winning the women's race of Mainova IRONMAN European Championship on June 30, 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images for IRONMAN

“I was all set for Kona, but two weeks before I was at home training and I had a really freak bike accident, just me up in the mountains, you know I live in Salt Lake City which has mountains everywhere, I’ve been riding on them for years. 

“A freak accident, I don’t know what happened, I hit my head so hard I don’t remember anything. I crushed my elbow, blew out my thumb, broke my collarbone so my entire upper body was just useless – I was completely useless – and obviously the Kona dream was over.

Skye Moench

“I was really positive about it though. The doctors were like it’s going to take this, and this, so many metal parts, this many surgeries, and this many months. 

“But we should be able to get you back swimming – so as devastated as I was, I was like ‘this is fine, I’ll just get this recovery done and I’ll be back’. 

“Then just as I was getting back to some kind of okay training COVID hit.”

Under the radar

Two years after that freak accident, Moench will line up against Team Europe’s Holly Lawrence and Team Internationals Ellie Salthouse in a matchup that has the triathlon world talking.

And Moench, much like Team USA, is going under-the-radar in the three-person race. Underestimate the American at your peril:

“I’m feeling good,” said the PTO ranked #10, “it’s been a really unique experience being here all week – definitely been busier than most race week experiences, but you know it’s such a privilege to be here.

“Hearing the matchups on Wednesday I’m super excited for Saturday now – I mean I was always excited, you know, but to see the vision of the entire event coming together as each day goes by. 

“I’m excited for my matchup and see how everyone else does in theirs – it’s really cool we have our own little race to deal with each team member.”

Stuart Dick
Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.
Discover more
Challenge Family Kaiserwinkle-Walchsee triathlon bike
The ultimate triathlon bike courses to ride before you die
TRI247 Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review
Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review – can Wahoo do for treadmill running what they did for indoor cycling?
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
5 ways to improve your FTP – Expert tips to level up your cycling
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
sumarpo triathlon swimming wetsuit
Wetsuit buying guide – How to choose the best wetsuit for triathlon, open water swimming, SwimRun and cold water
latest News
Lionel Sanders training pic August 2023 photo credit Talbot Cox
Lionel Sanders details new training mantra ahead of 2025 triathlon season
Paris 2024 Olympic mens triathlon Hayden Wilde run
WTCS Abu Dhabi 2025: Start time, preview and how to watch live
Alex Yee Cassandre Beaugrand gold medals supertri Boston photo credit supertri
Olympic triathlon champion smashes national 5km running record thanks to SENSATIONAL finish
Jelle Geens IRONMAN
IRONMAN 70.3 World Champ heads to Geelong to kickstart 2025 season before T100 focus
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Yo Yo Yo – Sam Long sets out his BIGGEST goal for 2025 and puts mood over training metrics
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...