The dubious honor of Worst in Show, the very Ugliest Mug we saw at Outdoor Retailer, the face that caused us to shudder in disbelief . . . well, here it is.   

Jim Knight, Grand Prize Winner

St. George, UT, August 13, 2009, – Sometimes when you win, you lose. Such is the case with Clik Elite’s™ Ugly Mug contest held at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. After sequestering themselves for some time to discuss the Mugs, the Clik™ team has made their decision. Please salute the 2009 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Ugly Mug Winners (click on their name to see their mug):

• Worst in Show – the Ugliest Mug of All (pictured): Jim Knight
• Day One Winner: Stacey Markus
• Day Two Winner (tie): Gail Ross, Kelty, and Nathan Salmon, Utilikilts
• Day Three Winner: Bradon Maughan, Aloha Ski & Snowboard
• Honorable Mention – Team: Jane Rackl and Melanie McLean, Leki
• Honorable Mention – Oversharing: Shannon Walton, Schoeller Textiles
• Special Mention – SNEWS : Michael Hodgson, SNEWS

Says Walton: “I’m so glad I didn’t win – whew. I was worried when the office here in Seattle told me someone called to say I won the ugly mug contest.” While Walton did her best with her display of half-chewed sunflower-seed trail-mix stuff, Jim Knight was unstoppable. “He scared us,” says Clik Elite’s™ Gheen Hillman, “We’ve known him for years, but this man in the photo – this is not the man we know. But we congratulate Jim along with everyone that rolled their eyes, puffed out their cheeks, and stuck out their tongues in the name of good, ugly fun.”

Knight received a Clik Elite Compact Sport; the Daily Winners receive Clik Elite Chest Packs. Our honorable mentions receive a mighty nice Clik Elite t-shirt.

Honorable Mention: Oversharing, Shannon Walton of Schoeller

Honorable Mention: Best Team Effort, the Leki Girls

Ugly Mug will run again at Winter Market, so get practicing. If you need a little help, here are some of tried-and-true prompts:

- You just ate a bad peanut (wretching face is perfect for the Ugly Mug)

- You just ran over a skunk (genuine look of horror and disgust could merit a daily prize)

- Your dog just dragged rancid chicken from the garbage can across the floor (get this one right and it’s Grand Prize material for sure)

We're starting Day 1 off right with this pretty face.

Our first day of the Ugly Mug Photo Contest was great. So many attractive people willing transformed themselves into Ugly Mugs just for us. A few people did it unwillingly, but we’re persuasive. Enjoy the results, and you’ll want to try a few of these yourself.