Entering her thirties, the 1981 season proved to be the high point of Sorokina's career. She won an 800 m/1500 m double at the Soviet Indoor Championships. She set personal bests in both events outdoors, running 1:57.55 minutes for the 800 m in August and 3.58.89 minutes for the 1500 m – both these times ranked her fourth in the world for the season. She was the Soviet representative in the 1500 m at the 1981 European Cup and she came away with the gold medal (her first international title), recording a championship record of 4:01.37 minutes to beat East German Olympic medallist Ulrike Bruns. This ensured her place on the national team for the 1981 IAAF World Cup and she again finished ahead of Bruns, as well as future Olympic champion Gabriella Dorio. Her winning time of 4:03.33 minutes was a meet record which stood until 1994, when it was improved by Hassiba Boulmerka.