IAN Finlay takes a step into the unknown this week as he sets his sights on success in the World Firefighters Games.

The 40-year-old from Little Sutton is aiming to challenge for honours in the two-day archery event, which starts in Liverpool tomorrow but is unsure what to expect.

Ian said: “I’ve never competed at the Games and don’t know anybody who’s going this year.

“I know what score I’m capable of shooting but it’s on an open field by the sea so the weather could play a part.”

Ian, a firefighter with the North Wales service based in Deeside and Flint, has been training for the event since March.

“I’ve really improved over the last six months, especially the last three, where I’ve trained solidly for the Games,” he said.

“I’ve been doing one to two hours a day in between work and going three times a week to practise with the Cheshire County Bowmen in Upton.”

Father-of-two Ian has secured sponsorship for the self-financing Games through GP Fire and Security in Mold, Wales Archery and Nottingham-based company Custom Built Archery.

“The sponsors have allowed me to buy the proper equipment which has made a massive difference now I’ve got used to it.

“It is the identical equipment to what they use at the Olympics,” added Ian.

The Firefighters Games have come to Liverpool this year, as part of the city’s 2008 European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Featuring 60 sporting events over a period of 10 days, the Games have attracted in excess of 5,000 competitors from all over the world.

The archery event involves 25 competitors and begins tomorrow morning, with 90 minutes of practise allowed prior to the start, before six dozen arrows are fired per day, by each competitor.

The target is the same distance away as at Olympic standard, 70m, and after a total of 144 arrows have been fired individually over the two days, the scores will be added up and standings formulated.

Ian took up the sport four years ago and completed a course with the Chester-based Cheshire County Bowmen, where he impressed and won the Novice of theYear award.

The World Firefighters Games opening ceremony was on Monday and the competition ends next Wednesday.