Joe Skipper bounced back from a disappointing 2024 with a blistering second place at IRONMAN New Zealand earlier this month, his first podium finish since 2023.
But the Norwich native, who says he contemplated retirement after a DNF at Lake Placid last July, will not be targeting the Pro Series this season.
Skipper, 36, claims there’s “too much travel” and that “the money’s not that great” because he could easily come out making a loss at multiple Pro Series races where there isn’t enough financial incentive if you don’t finish in the top five.
“Chasing your tail”
In a new YouTube video which is embedded below, he said: “There’s a few reasons really. I was thinking about doing the Pro Series but it would probably be too much with the travelling. There’s just so much travelling.
“I just don’t like the way the schedule fits together. You find yourself chasing your tail going here, there and everywhere.
“Another reason is, I don’t think the Pro Series is that good financially unless you podium overall. If you do, the money’s great – $200,000 for first, $130,000 for second… That’s great if you get that. But if you get sixth place the money’s not that great.
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“If you finish in sixth in some of these races you’re probably only walking away with $3-4,000. Minus the tax on your prize money in some of these countries you’re walking away with $2,000. It’s cost you over $2,000 to travel to the race, for accommodation. So you’re going away with a loss.
“You’re banking on being top five. If you’re not, it doesn’t really work out. You get sixth place in a Pro Series race, you’re probably not getting any bonuses from your sponsors. It’s a big gamble.
“I’m here to make money”
“It doesn’t make financial sense to me to gamble on that. It is a job at the end of the day and I’m here to make money. Winning in New Zealand would make me considerably more money than a fourth place at a Pro Series event. So it just makes more financial sense.
“If I do well in these normal races, it could be a good little earner. I don’t see the point of making a loss at multiple races. You’ve got a family. A limited number of years in the sport.”
Skipper’s decision means he’ll be swerving ISUZU IRONMAN South Africa on March 30, but he will be competing at the IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside on April 5 because it’s a Pro Series event he has already committed to.
He said: “My next big full distance which I’m targeting is IRONMAN Austria on June 15. I’m going to get a good block of training for that. Then I need to check the calendar but potentially IRONMAN Leeds (on July 27). That could be one that I go to.”
Skipper, who spent six weeks out of the water over the turn of the year due to injury, has already qualified for the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice in September.
