Bozzone explained his tactics which saw him escape from Skipper on the run and hold on for victory.
"I was a little more conservative – I usually go out gangnam style and try and get a big lead and hold it.
"I was blown away with my run, I managed to hold it together pretty well."
Skipper claimed second while 45-year-old Cameron Brown finished third despite his fastest ever time.
"My hat is off to Terenzo, he had a fantastic day," said Brown.
"I knew he would win it one day so what an amazing day to go under the eight-hour barrier."
Defending champion Braden Currie earlier pulled out of the event, withdrawing early on the 180km bike leg as the effects of the flu made it impossible for him to be competitive.
"It's pretty tough - it's never something that I like to do," Currie said.
"But when the race isn't happening for you, and you're sinking yourself deeper and deeper for a result that you probably don't want, you have to make the decision."
In the women's race, England's Laura Siddall avenged her loss at last year's event to claim victory.
Siddall who finished runner up to American Jocelyn McCauley a year ago, has come back to win the 2018 edition.
Siddall was thrilled to go one better this time around.
"This means so much to me. This is amazing and such a wonderful feeling.
"I felt awful on the first lap of the bike and was praying I had some run legs, with someone like Jocelyn running behind you, you are never really sure."
New Zealand's Teresa Adam has come second on her debut, with McCauley in third.
"I am not sure where I pulled that out of, but I am stoked and had a fun day," said Adam, who finished five minutes behind the triumphant Siddall.
