Did you hear?… Nike ACG media event sports flannel show

Even jaded journalists can have a little fun. At a Nike ACG media event in the Portland area Oct. 18-21, a couple of dozen scribes from around the world took part in the (leave it to Nike) “ugliest flannel shirt contest,” complete with tongue-in-cheek moderation by attending editors from InStyle and Vogue. Although you would think Americans would dominate when it comes to ugly flannel, the Europeans snuck in and snagged the top two prizes (Andy Barber from England’s Trail and Running Fitness magazines took first with his stylish red-and-black number, while Juergen Kurapkat from Germany’s Outdoor magazine nailed second with a snug purple design on gray). Barely hanging on for third was the first American — Backpacker’s new gear editor Dennis Lewon. Lewon not only managed to affirm his lack of taste with a gray-and-black item with a bleach stain no less, but also managed a nice little twirl and flounce on the judging ramp. The SNEWS® editor’s shirt wasn’t even close, and was, in fact, said to be “cute.” Harumph.