Classical violinist Vanessa Mae makes Winter Olympics debut

It seems being an internationally renowned violinist is not enough for Vanessa Mae, 35, who has added another string to her bow, competing for Thailand as Vanessa Vanakorn in the Winter Olympics’ giant slalom event in Sochi, Russia.

Vanessa Mae started playing piano at three and violin at five. At 10, she made her solo debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London in the Royal Festival Hall. She was the youngest soloist ever to record the demanding Beethoven and Tchaikovsky violin concertos when she was 13.