Pete Indick has graciously agreed to answer 10 somewhat random queries in a new feature called 10 Off Target Questions. For those that don’t know, Pete is a mainstay among the volunteers in New York. You’ll see him at all of the Syracuse races, along with major events in Placid (Nor-Ams, Summer Nationals, ESGs).
1. What do you do outside of biathlon, work, hobbies, etc? Or are you focused on biathlon 100% of the time?
Biathlon only takes up 99% of my free time. The remaining 1% is spent on going to Buffalo to watch the Bills in their eternal struggle to finish above .500 one year.
2. When was the last time you shot your rifle, and how did you do?
My rifle and I have not been on speaking terms for awhile. It’s in a time-out in the corner until it understands what it did wrong and promises to behave.
3. Do you prefer clockwise or counter clockwise penalty loops?
When competing in North America I always go for counter-clockwise in order to get the Coriolis effect working in my favor. I will be making a proposal at the fall meeting to change from a loop layout to a figure-eight. Just think how the close-calls and collisions would draw in the Nascar crowd.
4. You’ve organized/ run many races over the years, what are the strangest things you have ever seen happen at one of your events?
2001 Summer Nationals – Wake up call at 5:00 the first day of competition from Russ Myer saying the park building had been torched and a dead body found at the base of the falls. You just don’t plan for that. Runner-up, competing at a summer race in Nescopeck, PA and having to hold up my zero when a helicopter landed behind the targets.
5. What is harder, working as a volunteer or being a competitor?
Much, much, much harder being a volunteer. Almost makes me want to start competing again. Long hours, only sport where you almost always have to shovel snow because there is either too little or too much, and hauling targets never gets old. I’ve also seen enough sunrises from Osceola and Mt. VanHo to last a lifetime.
6. You have a long time affiliation with the Syracuse Biathlon Club, even running the website. How muchwould it take for you to leave Syracuse and join another club ($10, $50, brick of Eley, new Porsche?)
I’m definitely being swayed by the WNY club as they keep me well hydrated at their events. Of course, if Lake Placid wants to make me a six figure offer to move up there I’d certainly consider it.
7. Speaking of the Syracuse Biathlon website, what exactly is in the member’s section (hopefuly not racy pictures of Russ)?
The members section is a collection of closely guarded secrets of the SBC. Waxing, training, eating, drinking & pictures of Russ (wait, did you say racy or racing pictures?)
8. Rate the following New York Biathletes on their fashion sense (1 = hideous even in a whiteout, 10 = bullseye every time).
Tom Moffett
Russ Myer
Eric Hamilton
Pat Clancy
Jason Hettenbaugh
Oops, I can’t follow instructions as I ranked them from 1-5 (good-less good)
#1 – Definitely Eric Hamilton. As a super -duper-grand-master he just exudes class and style. Plus he is the only person I know who looks good in a Saratoga Racing Suit.
#2 – Tom Moffett. Used to be down the list but has shown great improvement since Marque starting dressing him in matching outfits with Luke from the Garanimals collection.
#3. – Pat Clancy – Cleans up well but tends to stay on the conservative side. Time to break out the kilt for next years pursuit weekend (even if it is 10 below).
#4 – Jason Hettenbaugh – Always dapper and respectable but needs to take some fashion chances. Racing in shorts at ESG’s always is a good style move.
#5 – Russ Myer. He’s lost his gold flame boxers but still needs to shred those yellow Pitt Panther shorts if he wants to move up the list.
9. Is it true that you are just the figurehead of the Indick organization, and it is really Laurie Indick who is mastermind of the operation?
Laurie gets 110% of the credit. I barely remember what day of the week it is but she keeps me organized and tells me when it’s a work-day. She also keeps me from sticking forks in electrical outlets, picking up strangers on the side of the road, and is quick with bail money when needed.
10. Who has the best zeroing procedure in New York?
I’ve got to give it to the team of Iwan/Skrabal. These guys show up with 10 minutes left in the zero (on a good day), seem suprised that there is a race going on and then argue (in Polish/Czech/??) over who’s shooting where. Somehow they fire a few rounds downrange and are good to go.
Thanks to Pete for answering the inaugeral edition of 10 Off Target Questions. If you know someone who would make a good target interview drop us a line.
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