Easing her way down the Olympic giant slalom course, violinist Vanessa-Mae completes 1st run

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia – Easing her way down the Olympic giant slalom course, pop violinist Vanessa-Mae completed Tuesday's first run with the slowest time of the 74 skiers who finished.

Nearly upright for most of the rainy course before crouching into the tuck position for the final gates, the Thai racer finished in 1 minute, 44.86 seconds — 26.98 seconds behind leader Tina Maze of Slovenia.

She celebrated in the finish area, raising her arms and ski poles over her head.

After all, she did better than the 15 racers who did not finish their runs.

Vanessa-Mae was born in Singapore and raised in Britain, but is at the Olympics as one of two athletes on Thailand's team. She's competing as Vanessa Vanakorn, using the surname of her Thai father.