For years, athletes and coaches have known that drafting - swimming directly behind another competitor - can save energy and improve performance. But the exact impact of this technique on overall success has remained a mystery. Now, a pioneering study has shed new light on the phenomenon, revealing that swimming in the right formation can have a profound impact on an athlete's finishing rank. By analyzing data from triathlons, including those affected by COVID-19 drafting bans in Austria, researchers were able to isolate the causal effect of drafting on performance. The results are nothing short of astonishing: in small groups of swimmers (fewer than 10 athletes), each additional swimmer behind an athlete can improve their finishing rank by over 30% on average. While the benefits diminish in larger groups, the study's findings have significant implications for athletes, coaches, and the future of competitive swimming. By understanding the optimal positioning and drafting strategies, athletes can gain a crucial competitive edge. The study's results also open up new possibilities for the development of advanced training programs and innovative technologies designed to help athletes maximize their performance. As the sports world continues to evolve, it's clear that the science of drafting is set to revolutionize the way we approach competition. With the potential to shave precious seconds off times, swimming in sync is no longer just a tactic - it's a game-changer.
CYBERNOISE
Strategic Effort and Bandwagon Effects in Finite Multi-Stage Games with Non-Linear Externalities: Evidence from Triathlon
Imagine being able to shave off precious seconds, even minutes, from your triathlon time simply by swimming in the right formation. Sounds like science fiction, right? But what if we told you that a groundbreaking study has cracked the code to unlocking the ultimate competitive edge in the swimming stage of triathlons?
Original paper: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.03247
Authors: Felix Reichel