Valentina Stenina was born as Valentina Miloslavova in Bobryusk (nowadays in Belarus), but moved to Sverdlovsk when World War II broke out. There, she took up skating, and met another skater, Boris Stenin, whom she married.

A long distance talent, she took part in her first national championships in 1957, finishing 4th in the 3000 m. Two years later, she placed 4th overall, and qualified for the World Championships in Sverdlovsk. The Russian ladies took the first four places, and Stenina won the silver medal. The next year, 1960, became a very successful one for Valentina and Boris. At the World Championships in Sweden, Stenina became the champion, winning the 1500 m as well. Just one week later, her husband - already second at the European Championships - equalled her performance, thereby becoming the first husband-and-wife World Championships, even in the same year. There was no more gold at the Olympics in Sverdlovsk, although both won a medal (silver for Stenina in the 3000 m).

The World Championships the next year, Stenina was at her best and won the first three distances and her second world title, and the national championships later that month. After a season of absence in 1962, she returned to the World Championships in Karuizawa 1963, winning the bronze medal. The Olympic 3000 m of Innsbruck again ends with a silver medal, as Lidia Skoblikova wins the title, like in 1960. In 1966, she wins her third World Championships, this time without winning a single distance. Stenina retired in 1968 after three World titles and four Soviet titles. She currently lives in Yekaterinburg; her husband died in 2001.

By Jeroen Heijmans, last updated November 29, 2005