Ghana skiier Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, more commonly known as Snow Leopard, has a good chance of achieving his Olympic goal -- of not coming last in the slalom.

Starting with bib number 102, the Glasgow-born, Accra-raised racer completed the first leg in 53rd position in 1min 09.08sec, a massive 21.29sec off Italian leader Giuliano Razzoli, but importantly people came behind him.

The dubious honour of being last went to Albania's Erjon Tola, who was at 46.15sec after electing to side-step back up to a missed gate and continuing his race.

In difficult conditions that included heavy rain and thick fog banks, 48 of the 102 starters failed to finish the course, including reigning world champion Manfred Pranger of Austria and three-time medal winner here, Bode Miller of the United States.

"I've got to check the list because I needed to beat some people," said Nkrumah-Acheampong.

"It's all about coming down and trying to beat some people. If I beat some people, then that's a dream come true.

"I've been skiing for just six years now and to finish an Olympic run in these conditions, I'm happy."

Nkrumah-Acheampong said he had tried to block out the rousing reception afforded him as he approached the finish area.

"I could hear some sound but I was trying to concentrate on the rhythm of the gates."

Although born in Scotland, he was brought up in the Ghanaian capital and didn't take up skiing until, having moved back to Britain to study, he started working at an indoor ski centre in Milton Keynes, central England.

As Ghana's first winter Olympian, the 34-year-old follows in the footsteps of pioneers like Kenyan Philip Boit, the first black African to compete in a Winter Olympics cross-country race and who will end his career in Vancouver.

Despite being ridiculed when first competing, Nkrumah-Acheampong ultimately wants to inspire fellow Ghanaians and Africans.

AFP