Colombia, Canada, Panama, and France completes the Top 7.

Surprises rose from the Top 16 with the inclusion of Korea, Martinique, Japan, Sierra Leone, India!

I didn’t know the Miss World 2009 TV schedule here in the Philippines but I hope that they will air Miss World here in TV stations for the Filipinos.

But first thing’s first, this is my final list of the Top 16 candidates who will move forward to coveting Miss World 2009 crown.

FAST TRACKS: Sierra Leone, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Gibraltar, Barbados
REST OF TOP 16: South Africa, France, Panama, Puerto Rico, India, Scotland, Vietnam, Venezuela, Netherlands, Moldova

WHO WILL BE THE TOP 7?
1. Barbados
2. Mexico
3. Vietnam
4. Gibraltar
5. France
6. South Africa
7. Panama

CONTINENTAL QUEENS OF BEAUTY
Asia – Vietnam
Europe – France
Africa – South AFrica
Caribbean – Gibraltar
Americas – Mexico

Will Russia and current Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova be crowning one of the girls above? We will find out soon.

I believe this will be a toss between India or Barbados. With Barbados, she can get through to the Top 16 even if without this fast track while India needs some help to make it there. But my gut tells me, its Barbados. In fact, she might just win the crown this year.

The Top 16 is already composed of Canada, Sierra Leone, Japan, Gibraltar and Mexico. The winner of the Beauty with a Purpose award plus ten more delegates that the judging panel has chosen will complete the Top 16.

Wanna know who will win Miss World 2009? Watch Miss World 2009 Online for free!

Miss Barbados and Miss Mexico are the most likely runner-ups. But then, everything will fell apart if these girls won’t answer well in the Q & A round.

Here’s INGHINYERO’s TOP PICKS three days before MISS WORLD 2009 commences:

01. Vietnam
02. Mexico
03. Barbados
04. France
05. Gibraltar
06. South Africa
07. Panama
08. Puerto Rico
09. Sierra Leone
10. Venezuela

11. Netherlands
12. Japan
13. Canada
14. Belgium
15. Moldova

Other Possible Alternates:
Malaysia, Scotland, Italy, Ukraine, Dominican Republic

One of the biggest surprises this year is Sierra Leone who bagged Miss Talent this year. Her dress got noticed too as she won the Designer’s Award. Sierra Leone is already in the Top 15.

One of the countries which made a great impact this year is Gibraltar! The contender from Gibraltar made waves as she was there from start to finish of the Fast Tracks! She’s part of the semifinalists in the Top Model, Talent and Sportswoman Fast Tracks – and won the Beach Beauty Fast Track with a surprise! Gibraltar can easily be the choice to win the crown this year!

Miss Barbados is one of the early favorites in the competition. But her stint in Miss World is surprising to the extent that she’s able to reach the semifinals for a couple of events! Barbados is also one of those who are making waves now in South Africa! One of the bets to win the crown.

Expected Asian stunners Philippines, India and Malaysia aren’t doing that well and the competition’s about to end – but there is one Asian delegate which surprised everyone, Miss Vietnam! The Top Model competition was her shining moment. Winning there
somehow makes her a top contender and a shoo-in to the Top 15. I wouldn’t be surprised now if she makes it to the top 3 or even the crown!

Now, we have the ones which are expected to deliver! We have South Africa’s Tatum Keshwar – a semifinalist in Miss Universe 2009. Also robbed a semifinal slot in Miss Universe 2009 is Miss France, Chloe Mortaud. These two ladies melt the judges but not as much as the surprises above! Miss Belgium on the other hand is starting to fade in.

Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran is now the top bet to win the crown. Mexico’s win in the Top Model registers a great impact to the outcome of this year’s competition. If she wins the crown, she is the third consecutive Top Model Winner to win Miss World 2009. Do you think she will deliver as expected, or will she be just the runner-up?

Here are the girls to look out for, here’s INGHINYERO’s MISS WORLD 2009 Top Picks a week before the pageant!

01. Gibraltar
02. Vietnam
03. Mexico
04. Barbados
05. France

06. Miss South Africa
07. Panama
08. Puerto Rico
09. Sierra Leone
10. Belgium

11. Netherlands
12. Brazil
13. Malaysia
14. Venezuela
15. Japan

OTHER POSSIBLE CONTENDERS:
Canada, Scotland, Dominican Republic, Italy, Ukraine

Miss Vietnam and Miss Martinique were Mexico’s runner-ups.

The following were laud as semifinalists: France, Barbados, Panama, Italy, Jamaica, Scotland, Malaysia, Turkey, & South Africa

As of this moment, the frontrunners are MEXICO, GIBRALTAR, SIERRA LEONE, FRANCE, BARBADOS, PANAMA, VIETNAM, SOUTH AFRICA, JAMAICA, ITALY

Will Mexico win this year? Will Perla Beltran be able to give vengeance to Anagabriela Espinoza’s grim semifinal shock last year? We only have thirteen days to the Final. Anything can happen.

On the other hand, Sierra Leone won the Best Designer Award.

Photo courtesy of http://globalbeauties.com

The fast tracks have already started.

Last November 18th, the Sports Fast Track had concluded, where Japan won a slot in the semifinals.
Miss Jamaica, Miss Hungary,Miss India, Miss Latvia,Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Sierra Leone, Miss Gibraltar, Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Miss Venezuela, Miss Australia,Miss Uruguay are also semifinalists for the Sports Fast Track.

After a series of competitions, the Top 5 finalists were chosen; but there was a tie in the 5th position, so six ladies advanced to the next stage. They were India, Hungary, Japan, Jamaica, Latvia and Venezuela.
Last November 22, the Miss World Talent Fast Track has commenced wherein a surprising tie between Mariatu Kargbo of Sierra Leone and Miss Canada Lena Ma was announced. Both Sierra Leone and Canada are now shoo-ins for this year’s semifinals.

Korea, Norway and Australia almost made it as finalists. Barbados, Georgia, Suriname, Mauritius, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guyana, Gibraltar, Serbia, Thailand, Spain, Indonesia and Zimbabwe are the finalists for the Talent fast tracks.

The Beach Beauty competition has already been staged where Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, has made history with Gibraltar’s first entry to the semifinals ever! Panama and Scotland ended up as runner-ups while France and Bolivia, both top favorites to win made it to Top 5.

Out of 112, the judges cut the girls down to 44, and then announced the top twenty which was cut again to Top 12.

THE TOP 12: Barbados, Bolivia, France, Gibraltar, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

REST OF THE Top 20: Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Korea, Namibia, United States, Uruguay

–
Now, there is only one competition left for these girls in the fast track competition and that is the Top Model Fast Track which will be held tonight. My pick for the Top Model fast track would be Panama and the recipient of Beauty for A Cause.
–

As of now, frontrunners are GIBRALTAR, BARBADOS, MEXICO, PANAMA, FRANCE.

–