Beijing Winter Olympics hopeful Alice Robinson endured a difficult start to the Games, missing out on a medal in the women's giant slalom on Monday.
As one of New Zealand's two flag bearers, much was hoped of Robinson's showings at Beijing combined with an outstanding start to 2022.
But in her opening run of the giant slalom, 20-year-old alpine skier Robinson struggled right from the outset, and did brilliantly to regain her balance after an early stumble.
Needing a top 30 finish for a chance to compete for a medal in her second run, Robinson did enough to secure 25th place, with a time of 1m 00.55s first up.
And after having trouble in her first run, Robinson suffered the same problem in her second.
Unintentionally flicking a gate with her outstretched hand, Robinson was slowed down and saw any hope of a medal - no matter how unlikely after her first run - slip away to settle for 22nd place.
"It didn't go the way I would have liked. I struggled with the equipment and getting grip on the snow," Robinson told Sky Sport after her first run.
"It was a struggle. I couldn't really find anything the whole way down, which was really tough. It happens like that sometimes. It's done now. I've just got to focus on doing my best."
Robinson's Games are far from over though, still to compete in the Super G starting on Friday (NZ time).
Elsewhere, 22-year-old Margaux Hackett also endured a difficult day in the women's freeski big air.
Making her Winter Olympics debut, Hackett failed to land either of her first two runs for scores of 9.75 and 9.00 respectively.
And even with a successful final attempt worth 65.00, Hackett's combined score of 74.75 was only good enough for 22nd place, needing a top 12 finish to advance.
Hackett will also be back for another shot at glory though, also competing in the women's freeski slopestyle, starting on Sunday.
In the men's freeski big air, neither Finn Bilous nor Ben Barclay could advance with top 12 finishes either.
Barclay, 19, impressed with scores of 81.00, 78.25 and 84.50 to move into the final qualification spot in his first round, only to be eliminated after France's Antoine Adelisse knocked him out.
Competing at his first Games after an 11th hour selection, Barclay justified the faith shown in him with a 16th placed finish.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's second flag bearer Bilous came away with an 18th placed finish, with scores of 73.75, 68.75 and 82.00.
Barclay's final score of 162.75, and Bilous' of 155.75 were both short of the final qualifying mark of 170.00, with neither Kiwi advancing to the final.
Speed skater Peter Michael is the only Kiwi in action on Tuesday, competing in the men's 1500m.
