Bobsled is another sport that comes to mind that competitors use their own equipment. Other forms of equipment: Skis, skates, Hockey sticks, ..
Correct. But it is cheaper and easier to obtain Olympic level equipment for those sports. A competitive horse suitable for the Olympics would certainly cost more than USD 150.000. A Star is worth less, but is still very expensive. How much is a bobsled worth? Forget about the hockey stick...
The other factor is: what is the edge you get from the equipment? According to the expert from the Chilean Olympic team the horse weights about 60% and the rider about 40%. I guess in sailing the boat weights about 40% and skill 60%. What are the figures in those other sports?
