Changing Tack: Using a Natural Experiment in Professional Sailing to Analyse Competitive Behaviour

This paper will investigate the effect of a transition from single-gender to mixed-gender competition, using a rule change in Olympic sailing as a natural experiment. We will consider two key aspects: (1) gender-based differences in competitive behaviour and risk-taking, and (2) determinants of team productivity. Current evidence on gender differences in competitive behaviour is inconclusive, with some studies suggesting that male athletes take more risks than females, while others find no significant disparity. We will test this by examining penalties for premature starts and in-race incidents, as well as competitive balance metrics, using a difference-in-differences approach. Additionally, we will assess the effect of ability dispersion on team productivity by exploiting the forced reformation of teams due to the rule change. Our dataset includes results from major international competitions, incorporating race-level tracking data. Our findings will contribute to the broader discussion on gender dynamics in competitive settings and the role of ability composition in team performance.