Rosa Khutor: Violin virtuoso Vanessa Mae, Thailand's first ever female skier at the Olympics, came last in a rainy giant slalom yesterday but was still bubbling with joy after finishing the slushy course.


Thailand's Vanessa Vanakorn (Mae) competes during the women's giant slalom event yesterday. INSET: Mae performs at the Sydney Opera House in March, 2005. Pic/Getty Images 

The Singapore-born British former child prodigy came through the finish line in 67th place after two runs, a massive 50.10sec behind winner Tina Maze of Slovenia. Hesitantly out of the starting gate, she clocked 3min 26.97sec down the course, 11.35sec behind her closest rival Xia Lina of China.