Rita ACHKINA

Rita Achkina started to ski in her native Belarus, but rose to fame after she moved to Moscow to study at university. In 1965 she won the 5 km, 10 km and relay at the Soviet Championships, her only three Soviet titles. Internationally Achkina made her début at the 1966 World Championships, where she won a bronze in the 5 km and gold in the relay. Her next and last international tournament was the 1968 Winter Olympic Games, where she was sixth in 5 km and won a bronze as a member of Soviet relay team. Since ending her sporting career Achkina has worked as elementary school teacher.