Its just a week before we will finally crown the new Miss World! A lot of girls are in contention to win the crown – and the frontrunners is composed of two ex-Miss Universe contestants, three darkhorses when the pageant started, and a country consistently topping this year’s pageant grandslam race.

Let us start with this year’s surprises!

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