And Russia wins!
No question, no doubt, Ksenia was the major favorite and she walked away with the crown. She is one of the most beautiful women I’ve seen in all my years covering beauty contests. Tall, poised, regal and beautiful, she did everything as expected.
In the end, the emotion is rolling as Julia Morley is about to announce the winner; she loves to surprise us. But this year, no. She saw Ksenia, the judges saw Ksenia, and they knew she was the best.
God, they are going to get a LOT of new sponsors with that spectacular woman as their spokesperson.
I am also glad to see India back on track, after so many years in the background. Parvathy displayed all the true qualities of a well rounded beauty queen. Congratulations as well to Miss Trinidad & Tobago, as well as my friend Peter Elias. I know that putting up the pageant in Trinidad & Tobago has not been a ride in the park for his organization.
But when one of his girls does extremelly well abroad (and any contestant sent by my national director friends as well) it gives the satisfaction of a job well done.
I am also happy for Miss Brazil, excellent work! Venezuela maintains itself as an unbeatable powerhouse, and Spain did very well this year.
Julia Kourochkina, Miss World 1992 from Russia
United States looked spectacular. So did Czech Republic and Belgium. Sadly there was only room for 15. But hey, being chosen beauty queen in your country is nothing to ignore. All the contestants should feel proud and grateful of living this opportunity, an experience of a lifetime.
Congratulations to Angola! Three consecutive years in the top five, a real achievement! Stiviandra Oliveira, Micaela Reis and now Brigith dos Santos, exquisite representations of the African beauty.
Also, I want to congratulate our Leaderboard judges. For the 3rd consecutive years, they hit it right with the winner: Tatana in 2006, Zilin in 2007, and now Ksenia in 2008.
Congratulations are also in order to the Miss World Organisation who put up a MAGNIFICENT show, a great stage, the most amazing group of contestants ever and so many things that don’t come to my head right now.
See you all in Johannesburg in 2009!