It's been about eight months since they won the mixed curling provincial crown, but they're not feeling any rust.

Kimberley's Tom Buchy rink will start their assault on the Canadian championship tomorrow in Morris, Man.

The team went undefeated at provincials in March, a feat they accomplished in 2005 as well.

"Both times we won the provincials we were playing really well," said second Dave Toffolo. "You'd love to go the next week to play (nationals), but in a way you get to bask in it for a while. It's kind of fun. The key now is just getting ready - feeling like we're ready, feeling that when we walk out we can win. To get to mid-season form in a month is maybe not the easiest thing, but I think we're close."

The team - including lead Robyn Toffolo and vice skip Lori Buchy - has been practicing since the Kimberley Curling Club's sheets were opened Oct. 13.

Dave said that feels like enough time.

"This year, for whatever reason, it seems that we're jelling a bit quicker than normal, so that's a good thing," he said. "I think we're trying quite hard."

In addition to the odd game against Jerri-Pat Armstrong-Smith's women's team, the Buchy side has been playing in Kimberley's Tuesday Night Open league.

Dave said the team approaches a league game differently leading up to a big event.

"We try to play it like we were in a competition," he said. "Normally in a league game if you were up, you might still mess it up and play a fun game. I think we've said right from the start, we're going to try to play these games as if we're there."

They have been 'there' before, although in 2005 the mixed nationals were held in Whitehorse, YT.

Lori said that previous experience has made their expectations higher this time.

"Of course you go there with expectations and hoping you'll do better," said the vice-skip. "That's certainly the hope."

"Everybody is healthy right now, knock on wood," said Robyn. "We're all feeling pretty good about things."

The team went 6-5 in Whitehorse, finishing in a tie for fourth. Now, as then, the top three teams advance to playoffs.

"The team has actually matured since we've been there," said Dave. "I think we're a little bit more relaxed, a little more grounded when we play. Hopefully that will equate into something. It all depends. It's great to get a good start; it's so important."

While the rink didn't lose once at provincials, Dave said it's a matter of fact that feat won't be repeated at nationals.

"We just have to realize that, rebound from it and hopefully fight our way into the Top 3."

The event is being hosted in the town of Morris, population 1,700 or so.

Of their own small-town roots, the Buchy team agrees that Kimberley has been great leading up to the mixed nationals.

"They've been so supportive. Unbelievably supportive," said Robyn. "People come up to you and say, 'You're going this week? Good luck, we'll be watching on the Internet.'"

"There are people that don't even curl that are actually excited about it," said Dave, who has fielded lots of well-wishing phone calls.

They agreed there seems to be more excitement now than five years ago.

"I think that when we went last time, it hadn't happened before," said Lori. "Now we've been there before. Now that it's happening again, there's more awareness."

As for the other teams at this year's event, Tom said everyone's chances are as good as everyone else's.

"If you're there, you have a chance," said the skip.

"What we've found is they're all tough," said Dave. "They've all done something important to get there, they've won a big event. At some point they curled well to get there. If they bring that again, they're all going to be tough. That's hopefully what we're going to do as well."