Kimberley will be well represented at this weekend's men's Interior curling qualifier in Kamloops.

Qualifiers for last season's provincials, the Tom Buchy rink will be making another run at it this year. Also, the newly formed Creston rink led by Josh Firman features a Kimberley front end.

Second Steve Tersmette said he and lead Kevin Hoglund aren't necessarily expecting to win one of the two trips to provincials up for grabs, but the event is an important step to getting there one day.

"A provincials spot will probably be a little bit lofty, but I think we're just hoping to win a couple of games," said Tersmette, who joined forces with Firman and vice-skip Greg Terrill after calling around the region looking for a good fit.

"We can hopefully continue with the same group of guys over the next couple of years and work towards going to a provincial championship. But you never know: all of these teams can be beaten, and all it takes is a couple of good games and a bit of a hot streak. You never know what happens."

Buchy is back with mixed teammate Dave Toffolo, and Elk Valley denizens Ken McHargue and Darren Will.

Cranbrook's Tom Shypitka gets an automatic berth to provincials as part of Jeff Richard's defending champion side.

Buchy gets his Interiors assault underway at 2 p.m. today, against Vernon's Aron Herrick at the McArthur Island Curling Club.

The Firman rink is in the opening draw this morning, taking on Nelson's Myron Nichol.

The 16-team event is double knockout, with only two spots at provincials available. Two more will be awarded at a second qualifier in Prince George.

Curl B.C.'s new configuration - which abandons the zone qualifiers in favour of an open format - has yet to grow on local curlers.

Tersmette said the format change has been a deterrent to club teams who had previously taken part, starting out at local events before climbing their way to Interiors.

"That's an expensive weekend," he said, noting the Interior event is now two-losses-and-out, where it used to be triple elimination.

"If you have two bad games right off the bat in Kamloops, you're out the $340 entry fee, plus travel and hotels. Lots of club teams aren't going to compete in that kind of structure."

Buchy agreed that Kamloops is a long way to go for just two spots, so there's lots of incentive to get off to a strong start.

"That goes for all the teams - everybody has probably got the same thing in mind, other than the one team from Prince George," he said. "They'll be at their home town in the second level, but I know they're still going to want to get a spot out of this one here."

The team to win their first four games will win the A event; the B event champ will need five victories.

"We've all got a few months (of curling) in now, and hopefully we can go there and play like we can," said Buchy. "We're going to have to play well for sure. When it's double knockout for two spots, it's the same for everybody. You're going to have to get on a roll and win a bunch of games. You can't afford two losses; you're gone."

In a strong field that includes the likes of Rick Folk, Brent Giles and Tyrel Griffith, Buchy is looking forward to seeing Kamloops's Scott Decap, who is making his competitive return after a car accident in 2007.