Jay Tuson and his experienced team from the Victoria Curling Centre are two steps away from qualifying for the playoffs at the Canadian Direct Insurance B.C. men’s curling championship in Parksville.

Tuson, third Colin Mantik, second Glen Jackson and lead Ken Tucker, recorded two victories Wednesday as the 16-team, triple-knockout event started.

“It was a very good way to start this event,’’ said Tuson, who collected wins against Brian Windsor of Kamloops (5-4 in an extra end) and Steve Waatainen of Nanaimo (8-3).

“In our first game against Windsor, it was very conservative for half the game as both teams were getting a feel for the ice. After several blank ends, it was tied 1-1 at the fifth-end break. The Windsor team played well and they scored a deuce in the eighth end and we came right back with one in the ninth. In the extra end, there were some rocks in play and I basically had a hit-and-stick for the win.’’

In the Waatainen game, Tuson took total control with four in the fourth and a steal of three in the next end.

“In the fourth end, I made two doubles to give us the four. In the next end, Steve [Waatainen] attempted a soft hit with his last one but it overcurled and ticked a rock.

“The ice has lots of swing in it and it is fairly quick. It should make for some great curling the rest of the way.’’

With the victories, Tuson advances to today’s A-Event semifinal against Victoria’s Chris Baier, who is skipping a team from the Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster. Baier defeated Ron Vanderstar of Smithers 5-2 and former B.C. champion Jay Peachey from Royal City 4-3 in an extra end. In late-finishing play from the A-Event, Ken McArdle from Royal City advanced to today’s semis against the winner of Tom Buchy from Kimberley and Brent Pierce from Royal City.

The A-Event winner, plus one team from the B-Event and two from C, will advance to the Page playoffs, which are set to begin Saturday.

Defending champion Jim Cotter of Kelowna and runner-up Neil Dangerfield of Victoria both suffered opening-draw losses. Peachey dumped Cotter 8-4, while Sean Geall of Delta, with Duncan’s Jason Montgomery throwing the third stones, outscored Dangerfield 7-5. Dangerfield then dropped to the last-chance C-Event, losing 8-3 to Darren Heath from Vernon.

Jody Epp of Victoria was also dropped to the B-Event after a 6-5 extra-end loss to Tom Buchy of Kimberley.

Today’s draws are at 9 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. The Page playoffs start Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by the semifinal at 7:30 p.m. on Shaw. The final is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday (also on Shaw).

The winner advances to the Brier, March 3-11 in Saskatoon.

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