She has been playing professionally since the age of ten. But violinist Vanessa-Mae has decided to put down her fiddle and pick up her skis. The 34-year-old wants to ski for Thailand at the Winter Olympics in Russia next year. In order to do that, she has to compete in at least five international competitions. So she is taking a year off from music to prepare for the slopes.

Thailand’s Olympic Committee says it will be happy to have her compete in the Games. Thailand is not noted for winter sports.

Vanessa-Mae says she has always dreamed of being a ski bum. But the best job in the world is being on stage making music.