Welcome back!

Before anything else I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for taking interest in what I have to say. Although I am in no way a beauty or fashion expert I take pride in putting together this list every year and am glad that the Internet gives me the opportunity to share it with you all.

This year’s task proved to be much more of a challenge than I expected. While last year I found myself doing a lot of decision making in my sleep and waking up early to make last minute changes, this year it looks like I won’t be getting any sleep at all; with barely six hours till the start of pageant night I am pressed for time.

I must admit that at the start of the competition I felt a bit of disappointment as the quality of the field was lacking in so many ways. Last year we saw a host of strong candidates, this year only a few really stood out.

Other pageant related sites were also very quiet giving little insight; some were very safe with their predictions, some didn’t even make any this time around.

I think the face of pageants (well the Miss Universe at least) has developed much in the past few years. I think for 2005 they are looking for someone who doesn’t look like she came of the beauty queen factory instead someone who is fresh, and natural but can also carry herself like a supermodel. No heavy make-up, nor fancy hair.

THE SELECTION PROCESS:

I started earlier than normal this year. Mid 2004 I was already looking through the candidates who had already been selected through local pageants. Then in May of this year, a few days after most delegates arrived in Thailand I started anew, updating my list almost every day.

Throughout the last two or three weeks I’ve viewed thousands of pageant related photos, and videos. I also previewed some video from the pre-pageant that were made available through our TV wires service at work. Although much of my favorites were in place prior to preliminary competition, I understand the value of the pre-pageant in the selection process and have decided to put more weight on each delegates performance there. Because of this a bit of reshuffling was in order.

I wouldn’t mind seeing any one of the top five ladies in my list take home the crown. From where they stand now they equally deserve to be Miss Universe it’s their performance on finals night that will decide the placement.

BATTING AVERAGE:

2001: Predicted Miss Universe. 7 out of 10 finalists
2002: Predicted Miss Universe. 6 out of 10 finalists
2003: 12 out of 15 finalists
2004: 10 out of 15 finalists

I was terribly disappointed with the way things went last year, 66% down from 80% in 2003 was really bad. Nevertheless even if I was not up to my usual standard, the rest of the pageant prediction sites were too. And compared to them I must humbly say that I did pretty good. There were a lot of surprises last year, I can only hope that this year will be better. I seem to do very good every other year anyway.

MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2005:

So without further adieu I present to you my list for 2005. Beginning with.

1.) South Africa – Claudia Henkel is one of the tallest delegates this year. Although I wouldn’t say that she is the most beautiful delegate this year I must say that she’s is one of the most stunning. I enjoy the simplicity to her beauty. She is also very intelligent and is preparing to be a lawyer. Overall she is the perfect package and my bet to win it all.

2.) Canada – Natalie Glebova enjoys tremendous support all over the Internet. She is for me definitely the most beautiful delegate this year. Well prepared for the competition, she also has one of the best bodies too. The crown is very well within her reach as well, my wish for her on pageant night is a little bit lighter make up, straight hair, and a different gown.

3.) Venezuela – The name Monica Spear alone sounds beautiful. Although some shots by the pool the other day with little make up on revealed a different side to her, I can't deny the fact that this girl shined bright during the prelims. With a great gown choice, the Venezuelan sash & the unmatched preparation only her country can give this girl has all the right tools to take it all the way to the title, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did.

4.) Puerto Rico – An early favorite of mine, Cynthia Olavarria, is my bet to win the Most Photogenic title. Besides the fact that Puerto Rico has won this title several years running, I think this girl really deserves it. During prelims she was stunning and elegant yet lacked a certain spark which I was looking for. Nonetheless she has been consistent throughout this pageant and is my personal favorite to win.

5.) Chile – A late bloomer Renata Ruiz caught my attention only late last week. Her beauty grew on me each day and now I must say I’m falling for her beauty. Here’s another girl I’d love to see come from behind and take it all. I think she’d make a lovely Miss Universe.

6.) Greece – Evangelia Aravani has been a bit inconsistent throughout her pageant photos. Some are absolutely stunning some are not very flattering. Which leaves me a bit undecided, and with some many great girls on top this is as far as I can put her for now unless she sparkles like a precious gem on pageant night.
 

7.) Latvia – Ieva Kokorevica is another girl who I learned to like. She didn’t seem to do well in pictures but I kept looking, and then when I finally got to see her in video she was breathtaking. With first-time-luck on her side expect this girl to place well in this pageant.

8.) Peru – At first Debora Sulca wasn’t on my list, then she found her way to the alternates list. Then while going through the prelim photos I remember myself saying, “wow!” She is a perfect example of what doing well when it matters and for that she deserves to place.

9.) Antigua & Barbuda – When Shermain Jeremny participated in Miss World last year we didn’t know if she deserved her way into the finals after getting a free pass courtesy of the Miss Talent award. This year with an absolutely stunning gown choice and a great performance (one of the best) in swimsuit I think she can easily win her way into the Top Ten.

10.) Thailand – Hometown favorite Chananporn Rosjan already has the Best in National Costume title bagged. I think many rolled their eyes with that victory but I don’t think many will complain if she gets as far as Top Ten tomorrow. This girl is by far the best Asian delegate this year and that’s not only because she is from Thailand.
 

11.) Dominican Republic – Renata Sone is a just a lovely girl with that simple quality to her. Her beauty also grows on you. I don’t really think she did well during the evening gown competition (she looked like a mermaid) still who can resist her charm. Get her to change her evening gown and she'll do even better. 
 

12.) Brazil – It’s great and refreshing to see Brazil has woken up from old style view of pageants. Carina Bedushi represented the new Brazilian woman with a more modern flair and fashion sense. I don’t like her overall package but I think she did well enough to get to the 15.
 

13.) Mexico – At 5”7 Laura Elizondo is one of the shortest delegates on this list. Nonetheless I think she was very beautiful and consistent throughout. Though a bit old-fashioned in her evening gown presentation I hope this Thalia look-a-like makes it to the semifinals.

14.) Switzerland – Fiona Hefti was very beautiful during the prelims. I kept on going back to my photos even if she wasn't on my long list of possibilities. She was hardly made an impact before that to make a difference. I looked back at her photos (like this one on the right) and realized one reason why is because most of her face was covered by hair.

15.) USA – Chelsea Cooley didn’t quite make it for me. She wasn’t my choice for Miss USA either. She actually has a lovely face but I think she ruined her chances with a bad gown choice during the prelims. However they say Donald Trump has five slots to give out and why wouldn’t he pick his very own country's contestant. 


Alternates:

Japan – Yukari Kuzuya is probably the tallest Miss Japan we’ve seen ever, I’ve always had her on my list until she came out in that weird evening gown. It’s a hit and miss kinda thing, a bold move that will either make or break her. I hope the judges give her a chance and that she wears something more “real” in the event she gets picked.

Serbia & Montenegro – Another tall delegate, this one lacked the refinement. Raw talent that could have done better with more preparation and maturity. Has the potential to be a good model.

Ethiopia – Considering Atetegeb Tetfaye Worku is only the second Ethiopian to participate in the Miss Universe pageant she seems to have done a great job for herself. I am still having second thoughts about her. Edit: after a bit of sleep I'm taking her out.

Trinidad & Tobago - Time and time again a girl from this country pops into the semifinals by surprise. She wasn't a personal choice until the prelims where she did great.

Colombia – Well prepared but does not have the beauty to make it in my book.

I honestly think the last three-four slots on my list are wide open for takers and surprise entries. Any one of my alternates will do as well as Indonesia who has been causing a lot of steer in her predominately Muslim country. She might be given a place as a token for her bravery.

It’s 5:00am already and I have a few more hours of sleep left. Will see what goes on inside my brain tonight. More from me after the pageant…I’m sure all of you can’t wait!