Moscow, Pirita, July 1980: Valentyn MANKIN of the Soviet Union, winner of the sailing Star class at the Games of the XXII Olympiad. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections

Other names: MANKIN, Valentin

Born: 19 August 1938

Birthplace: Belokorovichi (Ukraine)

Nationality: Russian Federation

Sport: Sailing

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Mexico 1968

Munich 1972

Montreal 1976

Moscow 1980

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 3

Silver: 1

Other results:

World Championships

Gold: 1 (73)

Gold Medals in Three sailing Classes

Ukrainian sailor Valentyn Mankin scored his first Olympic triumph at the 1968 Mexico City Games when he swamped his 35 opponents in the Finn class, finishing first or second in five of the seven races to win the gold medal. In 1972, Mankin switched classes and teamed with Vitaly Dyrdyra to win the Tempest class. In 1976 he added a silver with a new partner, Vladyslav Akimenko. By the time of the Moscow Games, Mankin was 41 years old. This time he joined with Aleksandrs Muzichenko and entered the Star class. The contest went down to the final race, but Mankin pulled off the victory. Valentyn Mankin remains the only sailor in Olympic history to win gold medals in three different classes.