Ten Lake Tahoe athletes will be competing in the winter games this year, and although no official viewing parties are planned, Andy Chapman of the North Tahoe Resort Association says he expects area bars to be packed with spectators tonight.  Chapman says interest in the games is high because of the region’s record contribution to the Olympic team.

We have quite a few Olympians from this region that are going to be up there. So we’re keeping our eyes on Daron Rahlves, Shannon Bahrke and Nat Holland and there’s quite the contingency of Tahoe athletes that are going to be up there that we’re going to be rooting on, so there’s a very strong tie of the Olympics back to Lake Tahoe.

One Truckee local, Errol Kerr, is competing for Jamaica and will be carrying Jamaica’s flag during the opening ceremonies.  But interest in the games isn’t expected to keep skiers at home. Many ski areas are expecting this to be their biggest weekend ever.