SPIRITS are high at the Laang Shooting Range, with alcohol finally allowed to be served at the facility.The range is hosting the 2009 FITASC World Sporting Clay Target Shooting Championships, which has attracted more than 650 shooters from around the globe.The competition looked set to be a dry show after Victorian Liquor Licensing rejected the Warrnambool branch of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia's bid for a temporary liquor licence last Friday.Victoria Police objected to alcohol being served, fearing mixing grog and guns would potentially lead to a deadly cocktailBut last-minute negotiations between South West Coast MP Denis Napthine, the SSAA and the State Government paid off. A licence was approved hours before the championships began.Dr Napthine was quick to toast the victory."This is a fantastic outcome," he said."They (Warrnambool SSAA) have been stuffed around by no uncertain terms."The SSAA and Dr Napthine found a loophole for the serving of alcohol - a business which held a catering liquor licence."A Warrnambool business came on board," Dr Napthine said. "But even after the deal looked sealed, the local constabulary tried to encourage the business not to take part."There was a story in The Standard this week about Italians asking for a beer at McDonalds - that just goes to show the expectations of international visitors - that they can enjoy a drink when they sit down for a meal."Warrnambool SSAA president Stephen Chilton said earlier this week he was confident commonsense would prevail."We're not here to get drunk. This is a world championships, we are here to win," he said."If you wanted to get silly and get drunk you might as well stay home."The four-day championships, which attracted shooters from 23 countries finishes tomorrow.State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu will be a special guest at Laang this afternoon.Mr Baillieu is visiting Warrnambool this weekend for a family celebration.