Mahe Beach, Seychelles - Miss Israel, Linor Abargil (19), won the Miss World contest here yesterday, edging out Miss France and Miss Malaysia.
The final ceremony, compered by Ronan Keating of the Irish band Boyzone, featured the 86 contestants dancing on to a stage set in a lagoon as fireworks exploded in front of the contestants' hotel.
The judges include New Zealand All Black rugby player Jonah Lomu, Canadian Formula One racing driver Jacques Villeneuve, and Miss World 1981, Ms Pilin Leone of Venezuela, now a mother of three. Miss Ireland failed to make the final 10.