If you folks don't understand why that image won the contest, I recommend not bothering to enter anymore similar competitions - in order to avoid disappointment. The winning image is a clear, bold, positive and funny example of "human" interest that fits the theme of the contest (it's the dragons' memorable winter event). In addition the illustrator has bothered to accomodate the technical requirements of the magazine, such as leaving space at the top for the title and using a cover friendly composition. The remark that the image is technically inferior would be an insult to the brilliance of the artist's posing abilities, as well as his understanding of the basics of illustration, if it weren't just a case of 'pearls before swine' cluelessness.