Miss World - a sexist throwback?

Sanya, China - Two billion people around the globe were expected to tune in on Saturday when more than 100 of the world's most beautiful and talented women vie to become Miss World 2007.

The 57th edition of the contest is being held on World Aids Day as organisers want the annual showcase of gloss and glitz, seen by critics as a sexist throwback, to help increase awareness of the fight against HIV/Aids.

Hometown fans will be cheering on Miss China - Zhang Zilin, a 23-year-old secretary from Beijing - hoping she can live up to her billing as one of the pre-contest favourites and bring home the crown.

Standing at 182 centimetres (5 foot 9 inches), she is the tallest of the 106 contestants and has been mobbed by supporters each time she enters the hotel complex where the entrants are staying two to a room.

Most contestants were keeping a low-profile as they made last minute preparations ahead of the final judging, although a few were to be seen around the hotel talking to family or, in a few cases such as Miss USA, their boyfriends. Contestants are not allowed to be married.

Ada Aimee De La Cruz of the Dominican Republic is hotly tipped by British bookmakers to be the biggest threat to Miss China's chances, and has been nearly as popular with the camera-wielding locals.

Julia Morley, chairperson of the British-based Miss World Organisation, declared Sanya, which has hosted four of the last five pageants, the home of the contest.

"We are not here for 2008 because we are in Ukraine," she said. "But we hope to be here on special visits, coming back all the time and giving our support to Sanya - our home," she told reporters.

Morley was accompanied at the media conference by reigning Miss World Tatana Kucharova of the Czech Republic, who is due to hand over her crown to the 2007 winner on Saturday night and look back at her achievements of the past year.

Miss Nepal, Sitashma Chand, is another hoping to woo the nine judges, who will rate the contestants in a number of categories including style, physical fitness, intelligence and beauty.

"Nepal has only been in Miss World for about 10 years and at first it wasn't that big, but now it's starting to get very popular," said the 24-year-old, who is a rank outsider with bookmakers.

After spending the past month in China doing pre-contest shows, events and publicity, some entrants admitted they were relieved the final had arrived.

"We are all really, really tired but we're keeping each other going," said 20-year-old Miss England, beauty therapist Georgia Faye Horsley, as her parents looked on proudly.

"All the contestants are good friends and I've definitely made some friends for life," she said, adding: "To get this far is amazing and a wonderful achievement, and it's one of the best experiences of my life."

Source: pretorianews.co.za