Viktor POTAPOV

Viktor Potapov was a three-time Olympic sailor, unusual in that he competed in three different classes. He won a bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics in the Finn Class, and then sailed 470 Class at the 1976 Olympics and the Tornado Class at the 1980 Olympics, finishing fourth both times. Potapov was twice a World Champion in the Tornado Class (1978, 1980), won the 1981 European title in Tornados, and was a 10-time Soviet sailing champion. He had hoped to sail Tornados again at the 1984 Olympics, but the boycott ended that hope.

Potaopv was named a Soviet Master of Sports at the age of 17. He later worked as a turner at a regime enterprise, and while at university participated in many sports, including football, skiing, and chess.