If you're an avid pageant fan, I'm sure you can feel the excitement in
the air as the countdown begins to the most exciting pageant in the
universe.
This year the competition seems better than ever with 80 girls
competing, at least 30 frontrunners and about 10 stunners of almost
equal ranks battling it out for the crown. This more than justifies
the decision made by the Miss Universe Organization last year to call
15 women instead of the traditional 10 to compete for the title on
pageant night.
Again I must say this year's batch is really amazing. Unlike last year
where I felt perplexed at the end of the preliminary competition, this
year I would not mind having any one of my top five picks go home with
the crown. Personally I think these top five women are all deserving
to be Miss Universe and as usual it will really boil down to having
that spark and wit on finals night.
THE SELECTION PROCESS: As soon as
delegate's photos are posted on the internet I go through them and
start putting together what I call a short list (I have one dated as
early as March of this year). As the competition goes on I monitor the
daily events scouring pageant sites for reviews and the Miss Universe
Press Site for photos. I look for beauty, class, elegance, bearing and
spunk. In the end my decision is based on my revised list of favorites
as well as the all-important preliminary competition photos.
My predictions are a mix of both 1.) the girls who I feel deserve to
be on the list and 2.) the girls who I believe given the odds have a
good chance at being there.
BATTING AVERAGE: I have been
predicting since 1999 but have not documented till 2001. Since then I
was able to successfully predict Puerto Rico in 2001 and Panama in
2002. I was a little off last year when Dominican Republic was only
3rd on my list. On an average I predict 7-8 out of 10 and in last
year's case 12 out of 15 (I do not count my optional choices where
usually another one or two gets in).
MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2004: Here’s who I have chosen this year.
If you have been here the last two days then you'll notice some
changes. After much thought while sleeping last night I decided to
change the order a bit. Taking out some from my 15 and bringing in
some from the 16-20 list. Main reason for change was that I wanted to
go for my gut.
1.)
UKRAINE: From blonde bombshell to black-haired goddess, 22 year
old Oleksandra Nikolayenko could have made the move of her life by
deciding to change her hair color. This girl is hot and since arriving
in Ecuador she has been stunning throughout managing to remain a
favorite till the very end. In the preliminaries she was hot in
swimsuit and just ok in evening gown (don't know if she would be
better off in something else). I think she just needs to glow a little
more in the finals; if she finds that spark she'll win for sure.
2.)
USA: Definitely someone to watch out for, Shandi Finnessy is one
of most natural beauties in the pageant, just as stunning without any
makeup on. And though many believe Shandi has also one of best bodies
in the pageant, it's her smarts that sets her apart from the rest.
She's got that innate spark in her and if things go her way she could
be the next Miss Universe. Personally I'd like to see her take home
the crown.
3.)
PARAGUAY: Without a doubt one of the best we have seen from this
South American country, Yanina Gonzalez took my breath away when I
first saw her photos in Quito. Others also started taking notice and
she did not fail to disappoint remaining consistent throughout all the
activities. She definitely excels in swimsuit and did exactly that
during prelims. She was also stunner in evening gown though had slight
problems walking in it. If she corrects this problem and has the wit
to match expect her to take the crown on June 1st.
4.)
GREECE: 23 year old Valia Kakouti has been at various places on my
list due to inconsistent photos. Some were breathtaking; some were
not; fortunately for her she was one of the stars of the preliminary
competition making me consider her for the title. She was outstanding
in evening gown and had one of the best overall presentations, so if
her personality and intellect under pressure can match that; she'll
definitely be the one taking home the crown.
5.)
VENEZUELA: You must really give props to Venezuela for the way
they prepare their girls. Most of them are usually top-five material;
19 year old Ara Karina Añez Delgado is no exception. She always
remained in the mid-range of my list throughout the pageant but
prelims changed all that where she proved she could be a front runner.
With an amazing body and great gown presentation don't count her lower
than 5.
6.)
JAMAICA: Her looks are at par with those who are on top. She looks
great in a swimsuit and had great overall performance during the
preliminaries. However in my humble opinion Christine Straw is lacking
something extra which is keeping her out of my magic five. Still you
cannot beat consistency. At 24 her maturity can be a plus but we will
really have to see for ourselves when the big night arrives.
7.)
NORWAY: 24 year old Katherine Sorland has not lived up to her
reputation as Miss World runner up. It's been quite a disappointment
since she was way on top of my list for quite some time. In Ecuador
she was photographed badly all throughout and during the prelims she
failed to shine. On June 1 give her that sparkle, get her to change
her evening gown and that "bad hairdo" and she might get farther than
Top10.
8.)
SWITZERLAND: Another simple beauty, Bianca Sissing radiates with
this natural glow. She has this lightness to her and is one of the
most elegant delegates in the competitions. Though in this pageant I
expect her to better her 12th place finish at Miss World I don't think
Bianca can compete with the elite level ladies placed above her.
Nevertheless expect her to make the Top10.
9.)
AUSTRALIA: From the beginning I always had Australia on my short
list even when other critics hadn’t noticed. Though most of the time
unsure something was telling me that 20 year old Jennifer Hawkins was
special. At the preliminary pageant, this knockout lady from down
under mesmerized the audience with a wonderful and consistent
performance. Expect to her to excel in the swimsuit competition which
is her forte.
10.)
SPAIN: A friend of mine (who's half-Spanish) recently thanked me
for my fondness for Spanish beauties. This appreciation actually dates
back to 1999 where since then they have sent delegates who are not
only beautiful but tastefully sexy. As expected Maria Jesus Ruiz is
definitely the sexiest delegate this year; see her in swimsuit to
believe. I would like to see her sport he naturally short hair but the
extensions are also great. I don't think her overall chances for the
crown are high but you can still expect her to do well.
11.)
COLOMBIA: The preliminary competition is really where you make it
or break it. In the case of 21 year old Catherine Daza it was the
former. She really did turn heads during last week’s preliminaries and
jumped from unnoticed to bet in the blink of an eye. If you look
closely you’ll agree with me that this girl may not be as beautiful as
a whole lot of others. Nevertheless it's her spotless consistency that
will work towards her benefit.
12.)
PUERTO RICO: One of my favorites in the very beginning then
completely off my list for most of the pageant coverage, Alba Reyes
mustered enough strength to bounce back. I
think this girl could have performed better when it mattered most
though; at
the preliminaries she looked amazingly hot in her swimsuit but was
plain and ordinary in her evening gown. She could still clinch it with
a good interview. Expect her to win Miss Photogenic as well.
13.)
CZECH REPUBLIC: Here’s another girl who isn’t a striking beauty
but did well in the pre-pageant. 19 year old Lucie Vachova may be
young but she is definitely skilled on the catwalk. She displayed her
skills at both the fashion show and the preliminaries. She has an
amazing body and at 5”10 has long beautiful legs. I’m not so sure
about her choice of long gown but her beaming presence more than makes
up for it.
14.)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: The front runner among black delegates,
Danielle Jones was forced to move several places down on my Top15 list
due to her poor performance at the preliminary evening gown
competition. then all of a sudden she haunted me during my sleep and I
decided to place her on the list after all. Get her to change her
evening gown and she'll do even better.
15.)
ECUADOR: I think she has a big jaw and personally she is not a
personal favorite for this last slot. But you can't discount the fact
that she did well during the pre-pageant especially in swimsuit. Also
not to be forgotten is that she's the hometown girl. Though my heart
doesn't really say so I'm putting her on my list, I really have a
feeling that she'll be in the top 15 but nothing more.
CLOSE SHOTS for the CUT view
picks 16-20.
1.)
UKRAINE: From blonde bombshell to black-haired goddess, 22 year
old Oleksandra Nikolayenko could have made the move of her life by
deciding to change her hair color. This girl is hot and since arriving
in Ecuador she has been stunning throughout managing to remain a
favorite till the very end. In the preliminaries she was hot in
swimsuit and just ok in evening gown (don't know if she would be
better off in something else). I think she just needs to glow a little
more in the finals; if she finds that spark she'll win for sure.
2.)
USA: Definitely someone to watch out for, Shandi Finnessy is one
of most natural beauties in the pageant, just as stunning without any
makeup on. And though many believe Shandi has also one of best bodies
in the pageant, it's her smarts that sets her apart from the rest.
She's got that innate spark in her and if things go her way she could
be the next Miss Universe. Personally I'd like to see her take home
the crown.
3.)
PARAGUAY: Without a doubt one of the best we have seen from this
South American country, Yanina Gonzalez took my breath away when I
first saw her photos in Quito. Others also started taking notice and
she did not fail to disappoint remaining consistent throughout all the
activities. She definitely excels in swimsuit and did exactly that
during prelims. She was also stunner in evening gown though had slight
problems walking in it. If she corrects this problem and has the wit
to match expect her to take the crown on June 1st. 
4.)
GREECE: 23 year old Valia Kakouti has been at various places on my
list due to inconsistent photos. Some were breathtaking; some were
not; fortunately for her she was one of the stars of the preliminary
competition making me consider her for the title. She was outstanding
in evening gown and had one of the best overall presentations, so if
her personality and intellect under pressure can match that; she'll
definitely be the one taking home the crown.
5.)
VENEZUELA: You must really give props to Venezuela for the way
they prepare their girls. Most of them are usually top-five material;
19 year old Ara Karina Añez Delgado is no exception. She always
remained in the mid-range of my list throughout the pageant but
prelims changed all that where she proved she could be a front runner.
With an amazing body and great gown presentation don't count her lower
than 5.
6.)
JAMAICA: Her looks are at par with those who are on top. She looks
great in a swimsuit and had great overall performance during the
preliminaries. However in my humble opinion Christine Straw is lacking
something extra which is keeping her out of my magic five. Still you
cannot beat consistency. At 24 her maturity can be a plus but we will
really have to see for ourselves when the big night arrives. 
7.)
NORWAY: 24 year old Katherine Sorland has not lived up to her
reputation as Miss World runner up. It's been quite a disappointment
since she was way on top of my list for quite some time. In Ecuador
she was photographed badly all throughout and during the prelims she
failed to shine. On June 1 give her that sparkle, get her to change
her evening gown and that "bad hairdo" and she might get farther than
Top10.
8.)
SWITZERLAND: Another simple beauty, Bianca Sissing radiates with
this natural glow. She has this lightness to her and is one of the
most elegant delegates in the competitions. Though in this pageant I
expect her to better her 12th place finish at Miss World I don't think
Bianca can compete with the elite level ladies placed above her.
Nevertheless expect her to make the Top10.
9.)
AUSTRALIA: From the beginning I always had Australia on my short
list even when other critics hadn’t noticed. Though most of the time
unsure something was telling me that 20 year old Jennifer Hawkins was
special. At the preliminary pageant, this knockout lady from down
under mesmerized the audience with a wonderful and consistent
performance. Expect to her to excel in the swimsuit competition which
is her forte.
10.)
SPAIN: A friend of mine (who's half-Spanish) recently thanked me
for my fondness for Spanish beauties. This appreciation actually dates
back to 1999 where since then they have sent delegates who are not
only beautiful but tastefully sexy. As expected Maria Jesus Ruiz is
definitely the sexiest delegate this year; see her in swimsuit to
believe. I would like to see her sport he naturally short hair but the
extensions are also great. I don't think her overall chances for the
crown are high but you can still expect her to do well. 
11.)
COLOMBIA: The preliminary competition is really where you make it
or break it. In the case of 21 year old Catherine Daza it was the
former. She really did turn heads during last week’s preliminaries and
jumped from unnoticed to bet in the blink of an eye. If you look
closely you’ll agree with me that this girl may not be as beautiful as
a whole lot of others. Nevertheless it's her spotless consistency that
will work towards her benefit.
12.)
PUERTO RICO: One of my favorites in the very beginning then
completely off my list for most of the pageant coverage, Alba Reyes
mustered enough strength to bounce back. I
think this girl could have performed better when it mattered most
though; at
the preliminaries she looked amazingly hot in her swimsuit but was
plain and ordinary in her evening gown. She could still clinch it with
a good interview. Expect her to win Miss Photogenic as well.
13.)
CZECH REPUBLIC: Here’s another girl who isn’t a striking beauty
but did well in the pre-pageant. 19 year old Lucie Vachova may be
young but she is definitely skilled on the catwalk. She displayed her
skills at both the fashion show and the preliminaries. She has an
amazing body and at 5”10 has long beautiful legs. I’m not so sure
about her choice of long gown but her beaming presence more than makes
up for it.
14.)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: The front runner among black delegates,
Danielle Jones was forced to move several places down on my Top15 list
due to her poor performance at the preliminary evening gown
competition. then all of a sudden she haunted me during my sleep and I
decided to place her on the list after all. Get her to change her
evening gown and she'll do even better. 
15.)
ECUADOR: I think she has a big jaw and personally she is not a
personal favorite for this last slot. But you can't discount the fact
that she did well during the pre-pageant especially in swimsuit. Also
not to be forgotten is that she's the hometown girl. Though my heart
doesn't really say so I'm putting her on my list, I really have a
feeling that she'll be in the top 15 but nothing more.
CLOSE SHOTS for the CUT view
