Patti Knezevic will take aim at a provincial curling title beginning today.
Knezevic and her Prince George Golf and Curling Club rink of third Kristen Fewster, second Jen Rusnell and lead Rhonda Camozzi are in Maple Ridge at the Golden Ears Winter Club for the B.C. Scotties women's curling championship.
Knezevic takes on Diane Gushaluk and her team from Vancouver in today's first draw (5:30 p.m.) in the eight-team triple-knockout bonspiel.
The winner of the game will continue on in the A event, while the loser will drop to the B event.
From the A, B and C draws, four qualifiers will emerge and compete in a page-playoff on the weekend.
Joining Knezevic in her quest for a B.C. title will be former world champion and six-time B.C. champion Kelly Scott from Kelowna with her new squad of Shannon Aleksic (third), Karla Thompson (second) and Sarah Pyke (lead).
Defending champion Kesa Van Osch of Nanaimo, who defeated Scott in the 2014 final a year ago in Prince George, has also returned with a new team in tow. She'll be joined by sister Kalia at third, Trysta Vandale (second) and Kelsey Stieger (lead).
Van Osch's former crew of Stephanie Baier (third), Jessie Sanderson (second) and Carley St. Blaze (lead) is being skipped by Dailene Sivertson out of the Victoria Curling Club.
Also in the field is Kristy Lewis from the Royal City Club in New Westminster, Amanda Russett from Kamloops and Sarah Wark from Victoria.
The semifinal is at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and the final follows at 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on Sportsnet.
Knezevic is a three-time runner-up at provincials. In 2014, she finished fourth.
The B.C. champion will advance to the national Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Feb. 14-22 in Moose Jaw, Sask.
