Scotland’s number one skeet shooter is targeting a place on the medal podium at next year’s Commonwealth Games.
Drew Christie, 33, of Auchterhouse, finished fourth at the 2010 Games in Delhi after a tense shootout for the bronze medal.
He will hear later this year whether he has been selected for Scotland’s shooting team that will compete at the Barry Buddon army range in Angus from July 25 to 29.
Drew, who specialises in Olympic skeet, admits that he was surprised at the level of pressure he felt during the last games, but thinks the experience will stand him in good stead.
“You can’t train for the pressure,” he said. “You have television cameras are right in your face.
“At the last games I didn’t shoot well the first day, but I performed well on the second day. There was a three-way shootout for bronze between me, an Englishman and a Cypriot I beat the Englishman but ended up fourth.
“That was disappointing but overall a fantastic experience.”
The MoD site by Carnoustie will be used for all shooting events at the games full-bore, clay target, pistol and small bore. Drew added that being familiar with the Scottish weather could also prove to be an advantage.
“It’s going to be good for the region to have the shooting event here. I just wonder if we’ll get good weather,” he added.
“It might even be an advantage if the weather’s windy and overcast because that doesn’t bother me.”
Angus Provost Helen Oswald recently met Drew at the Auchterhouse Country Sports facility which his family runs.
She said: “I’ve been following Drew’s progress and I think he’s got a very good chance of getting a gold medal for Scotland.
“I hope to attend the shooting event in person. Angus is so proud to be part of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
“The county will be celebrating the occasion with the rest of Scotland and making the most of the opportunity to welcome thousands of visitors from across the Commonwealth.”
The MoD range at Barry Buddon was used for the full-bore rifle contest during the Edinburgh Games in 1986. Thousands of visitors are expected to come to Angus and the surrounding area for the shooting event.