Malta made its debut in the Winter Olympics today when Elise Pellegrin took part in the giant slalom competition in the Sochi Games.

She finished in 72nd place out of 74 athletes who finished the race, with a time of 1.36.85. The first-placed athlete, Tina Maze, ended the run in a time of 1.17.88.

In the second run, she made it to the 65th place out of 67 athletes.

The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) awarded Pellegrin the country’s only quota place in the Games after collecting enough ranking points from the various competitions she took part in during the build-up to Sochi. Pellegrin was born in France, but her grandfather was born in Malta, therefore becoming eligible to represent Malta in the international field.

Pellegrin will make her second showing in the women’s slalom later this week.

Pellegrin, as the onlky skier representing the country, was boviouslyMalta’s flag bearer at the athletes’ parade in the opening ceremony.

In Sochi, Malta is one of 18 countries who will only have one representative in the Games.