 After speaking with Gerni and acting as his translator, Pelinga explained his interest in learning to become a professional trick shot artist.Gerni, in response, had Pelinga accompany him on a tour throughout the United States as a pseudo-apprenticeship.In 2003, he won the U.S. Open of Artistic Pool in New Bedford, Massachusetts, followed by another major title, the EPBF European Artistic Pool Championship in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2004.