Historic Russian Olympian dies tragically

Viktor Yakovlevich Potapov, an internationally accomplished Soviet and Russian sailor, tragically died in Dolgoprudny on December 10, 2017. Potapov was standing on the sidewalk when two cars collided and one of them skidded into him.

After Potapov won the bronze medal in the Finn at the Munich 1972 Olympics, he switched to the 470 dinghy and finished fourth at the Montreal 1976 Olympics. Potapov switched events again, this time to the Tornado catamaran, going on to win the 1978 and 1980 Tornado World Championships but finishing fourth at the Moscow 1980 Games.

Poapov, who was 70 at the time of his death, remained active in the sport, continuing to sail and train young people at the Dolphin (Dolgoprudny) Yacht Club near Moscow.

From left: Viktor Potapov (bronze 1972 Finn, twice Tornado world champion), Aleksander Tsutselov (Finn silver in Rome) & Gus Miller at the 2013 Finn Gold Cup. © Robert Deaves