A NorAm Race to the Cup snowboard event is scheduled for next week at Mt. Bachelor ski area.

The Race to the Cup is the premier NorAm alpine snowboard tour in the U.S., serving as a springboard for athletes to advance to the World Cup tour.

But next week’s races will likely include both the U.S. and Canadian Olympic alpine snowboarding teams, according to Chris Klug, a Central Oregon snowboarder who was recently named to the Olympic team.

Klug said the national teams plan to train and compete at Bachelor because of its proximity to Vancouver, British Columbia, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Feb. 12-28.

The U.S. Olympic Alpine Snowboard team of Klug, Tyler Jewell (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and Michelle Gorgone (Boston) is expected to race at Bachelor.

Klug said he expects the Canadian team to race as well. Jasey-Jay Anderson of Canada, headed for his fourth Olympics, is second in the World Cup standings in parallel giant slalom and among the favorites to win a medal in Vancouver.

Adam Smith and Lynn Ott, both of Bend, are also expected to compete at Bachelor.

The NorAm Finals, March 25-26 in Steamboat Springs, will wrap up the Race to the Cup Tour.

— Bulletin staff report