A TRIO of Salisbury powerlifters head to Austria this week hoping to continue the city's proud tradition of success at the World Champion-ships, writes Mike Turner.

Lee Steggles, Paul Newell and Bill West will take on the world's best in Vienna and all are in tip-top condition, though all have set their sights on very different targets.

West - with 13 world titles to his name - has already achieved legendary status in the sport.

The 57-year-old, always reluctant to reveal too much about his intentions ahead of a competition, has enjoyed a relatively trouble-free build up to the event.

As well as notching up another title in the Masters category, West will almost certainly be looking to post a performance worthy of taking the Lifter of the Championship award.

Steggles is determined to regain the world crown she lost last year in Helsinki, and hopes to do so by smashing world records.

In stark contrast to the two stalwarts of the British team, 26-year-old Newell, is set to make his debut on the international stage and is happy to admit he plans to simply savour every moment of his World Championship debut.

"It's my first international championship event and there's no pressure on me at all," said Newell who works as a researcher for a wine company,.

"Obviously I want to do well and have set myself targets. I've got everything to gain and nothing to lose so I want to enjoy the experience and learn from it. But we'll see what happens when we get there. It's a cliche, but anything can happen on the day."

West, who came out of retirement last year after missing the buzz of competitive lifting, said he was more than happy with his preparations. "It's gone even better this year than last year."

Steggles, a support worker for the Turning Point charity, has endured mixed emotions in the build-up to the Austria trip.

As well as a back injury which kept her out of training for seven weeks following this summer's British Championships in Bournemouth, she has also suffered a chest infection and flu.

However, she insists she is now in the form of her life.

"It's really weird. I've had all kinds of problems since the British, yet since I've got back into things it's gone really well.

"I've actually had my best build up ever, which is scary. We were a bit concerned that I was peaking too soon."

Both Steggles and West's preparations were affected by the uncertainty surrounding this year's championships which were originally scheduled for Australia.

"If we'd have gone to Darwin as we were originally preparing for, it'd be 40 degrees," said West. "Austria is going to suit us a lot better."

Here's hoping the trio become the latest British sporting stars to return triumphant from a world championship.

Special report from Vienna in next week's Journal Sport.