Hille Sarapuu

Hille Sarapuu (since 1970 Bachmann; born 12 December 1937) is an Estonian speed skater, cyclist and motorcycle rider.^[1]

Biography

Born 12 December 1937, in Tallinn,^[1] She began her skating career in 1952. She is multiple-times Estonian champion in different speed skating disciplines.^[1]

In 1954, she won two silver medals at Estonian championships in cycling.^[1]

Since 1956, she started her career in motocross, coached by Virve Lauri. 1962-1965 she won 4 medals at Soviet Union motocross championships.^[1]

In 1961, she played a role in the film Dangerous Curves. On 25 July 1968, while a member of the Soviet delegation to the International Motorsport Federation returning home from Vienna, Sarapuu defected at an Austrian police station. She refused to meet with representatives of the Soviet Union. She soon moved on to the United States, where she has made a permanent home. In the United States, she began working as a hairdresser and now lives in Baltimore.^[1]