GEORGE AIMS TO BE WIZARD OF OZ

George will be aiming for his sixth major title of 2009 when he participates in the 31st FITASC Sporting World Championships in Warrnambool, Australia from 19th-22nd November.

Victory would up his tally in the competition to eight and mark another fantastic landmark in what has been another successful year - especially in the World Cup.

He explained: "Although it's the FITASC World Championships, it's also the final of the World Cup, and in the World Cup events I've shot very well this year.

"I've won the Pan Africa, I've won the European and I've won the Italian Grand Prix. So I've had a very good start to the year on that front."

World Championships are a difficult prospect under any circumstances, but the timing has made this tournament even tricker for George.

He finds himself in the middle of game shooting season and that, combined with the notoriously bad British weather, has affected his rigorous preparation techniques.

He revealed: "Normally I would not shoot for a bit and then shoot in a lot of competitions in the 3-4 weeks leading up to the competition, but I haven't had the opportunity to do that this year.

"I shot a fair bit three weeks ago and then the last two Sundays have been very windy and wet. I haven't been able to practice in that because it feels as though your timing could be affected.

"And then last Sunday, it was very similar, but I got the opportunity to go out a shoot a few targets on Sunday morning and I didn't shoot too badly. So I'm not disappointed with my preparations it's just the time schedule."

Another factor in George's preparations is the Australian climate, which will present him with a very different challenge to the one he faces in competitions a little closer to home.

"We're going from a dank, dreary, damp climate over here to one that should in reason be hot," he said. "So I've got to look at my hydration levels and that sort of thing as a major part of the build-up."

It is the first Championships to be held in Australia since 1994 and George believes there may be competition from some home-town heroes.

"Nowadays there's good shots from all around the world. And I would think the strongest nations are America, France, obviously the UK, and I think there'll be some Australians who'll give us a run for our money."

George won't be giving the Aussies an easy ride though and despite a shorter than expected preparation period, he's now got his game-face on and is fully focused to negotiate a whirlwind schedule and bring back another trophy.

"I fly Saturday night, land Monday morning and drive up to the shooting ground on Tuesday afternoon," he explains.

"The opening ceremony is Wednesday, the competition is Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and I fly back Sunday night. So it's full on focus while I'm there."