Nikolai Vekšin facts for kids
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | May 23, 1887 Haapsalu, Governorate of Estonia (then Russian Empire) |
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| Died | January 15, 1951 (aged 63) Norillag, Norilsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
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| Education | Karl May School | |||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Imperator's Petersburg Institute of Technology | |||||||||||||
| Years active | 1911–1949? | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Country | Russia Estonia Soviet Union |
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| Club | Imperial St. Petersburg Yacht Club Estonian Yachting Union |
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Medal record
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| Updated on 8 October 2013. | ||||||||||||||
Nikolai Vekšin was a talented sailor and helmsman. He was born on May 23, 1887, in Haapsalu, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He later became a key part of the Estonian sailing team. Nikolai Vekšin is best known for winning a bronze medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. He passed away on January 15, 1951, in a prison camp in Norilsk, Siberia.
Contents
Early Life and Sailing Beginnings
Nikolai Vekšin grew up in a time when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. He went to the Karl May School and later studied at the Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology. This was a very important school back then.
He started his sailing journey in 1911. He joined the Imperial St. Petersburg Yacht Club. This club was a big deal for sailors in the region.
First Olympic Experience
Nikolai Vekšin had his first taste of the Olympic Games in 1912. He was a reserve sailor for the Russian team at the 1912 Summer Olympics. Even though he didn't compete, it was a valuable experience.
During the Russian Civil War
During a big conflict known as the Russian Civil War, Nikolai Vekšin served as an officer. He was part of the White Army. This was a challenging time in history.
Olympic Success in 1928
Nikolai Vekšin's biggest achievement came at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. He was the helmsman (the person who steers the boat) for the Estonian boat named Tutti V.
The Bronze Medal Team
His team competed in the 6-meter class sailing event. They worked together perfectly and won the bronze medal! The other skilled sailors on the crew were William von Wirén, Georg Faehlmann, Andreas Faehlmann, and Eberhard Vogdt.
This was a very special moment for Estonian sports. It was the only time in Olympic history that five Estonian athletes won medals in the same event.
Later Career and Challenges
After World War II, when Estonia became part of the Soviet Union again, Nikolai Vekšin continued his passion for yacht racing. He was still a very strong competitor.
In 1945, he won a silver medal at the USSR championship. This showed he was still one of the best sailors around. In the same year, he earned the Soviet "Master of Sports" title. This title is given to top athletes.
Final Years
Sadly, in 1949, Nikolai Vekšin was arrested by the Soviet authorities. He passed away in 1951 in a prison camp called Norillag in Norilsk, a city in northern Siberia.
