Ovtchinnikova, Elena (1965–)

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Ovtchinnikova, Elena (1965–)

Russian-American climber. Name variations: Elena, Lena or Yelena Ovchinnikova. Born June 29, 1965, in Selenginsk, Siberia, Russia; married; children: 2.

Among the top speed climbers in the world, began competing on World Cup circuit for Russia (1988); began competing for US (1996); won gold in Speed Climbing at X Games (1995, 1997, and 1998) and silver in Bouldering and Difficulty (1995). Other 1st-place finishes include: National, San Francisco, CA (in Difficulty, 1997); National, Boulder, CO (in Difficulty, 1997); Sony Xtreme Games, Gold Coast, Australia (in Speed and in Difficulty, 1998); Phoenix Bouldering, Phoenix, AZ (in Rock, 1998); and National, NY, NY (in Speed, 1998).