Media Release – Friday 1 June 2012
Canberran local Peter Menzel — known to his friends as ‘Pinball Pete’ — will represent Australia and take on the world’s best pinball players at the ninth annual International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) World Championships on Bainbridge Island, Seattle USA, on 8 June 2012.
The top 64 pinball players from 12 countries will go head-to-head in the three day competition, which is being hosted at former NBA basketball star Todd MacCulloch’s private mansion, home to his collection of over 80 pinball machines.
A former Canberra public servant and IT professional with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, 47 year old Peter decided it was now or never to follow his passion of pinball wizardry, first sparked as a 10 year old playing the pinball machine in the corner of his local greengrocer. He threw in his day job and started working part-time at a business that supplies and fixes pinball and arcade machines, allowing him to hone his talents on the flippers.
“Mum always said I’d never amount to anything because I was spending too much time playing those silly pinballs. Well, look at me now Mum!” said Peter.
With over $20,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs, the Pinball World Championship consists of eight qualifying rounds where competitors play against each other in three x four player games. The top 32 players then advance to the final rounds to go head-to-head in single player elimination matches until the World Champion is crowned.
“I’ve been studying the mechanics of the machines I’ll be playing in Seattle and playing as many of them as possible to build up my skills and endurance,” continued Peter.
“With all the hard work I’ve put in, and with a little luck on the day, I feel have a good chance of reaching the final rounds.”
For more information about the Pinball World Championships and to follow Peter’s progress visit www.ifpapinball.com
For interviews or images please contact Peter Menzel on 0413 322 243 email yonky@webone.com.au or from 4 June 2012 in Seattle on + 61 405 440 221