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http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9723800%5E28102,00.html
MISS Australia Jennifer Hawkins, a statuesque 20-year-old from Sydney's beach suburb of Bondi, has been crowned Miss Universe at the competition final in Ecuador.
She beat 14 other women in front of a crowd of 7500 in a convention centre the Ecaudorian capital Quito.
Ms Hawkins, 20, is a former Newcastle Knights cheerleader, and is the first Australian to win the competition since Perth's Kerry Anne Wells in 1972.
A self-proclaimed "surfer chick", she says her hobbies include "watching footy with my dad".
The 5ft 11in blonde with blue eyes was chosen from among 80 beauty queens representing their respective countries.
First runner-up was Miss USA Shandi Finnessey. She and Ms Hawkins hugged before the winner was announced.
The Australian then received the crown from outgoing Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega, from the Dominican Republic, and then walked down the runway, smiling and waving to the cheering crowd.
The three other finalists were Miss Puerto Rico Alba Reyes, Miss Paraguay Yanina Gonzalez, and Miss Trinidad & Tobago Danielle Jones.
Ms Hawkins' mother Gail was waiting at the family's Newcastle home for news of the results today, and said she was excited for her daughter.
"I just wish I was there to give her a big cuddle. I don't know how I feel.
"It's really hard to believe. I wonder if it's sunk in with her yet. I don't think she realises the attention she has gotten here.
Steve Crowe, a spokesman for the Newcastle Knights rugby league team where Ms Hawkins was a cheerleader until last year, said the news was "fantastic".
"She was very popular," Mr Crowe said. "I don't think she'll be back now. I think her time might be taken up with a few other things."
The finalists were announced after 10 semifinalists paraded in swimsuits before the crowd.
Before the pageant began, singer Gloria Estefan defended the contest from critics who consider such events frivolous.
"A beautiful woman has very great powers to convince, and we have seen many misses who have done a great job," said the Cuban-American singer, who performed at the Miss Universe finals Tuesday night. "The new Miss Universe should do a spectacular job helping the needy."
All 80 contestants participated in the finals, in which the winner was to be selected from among 15 semifinalists.
The 15 semifinalists were chosen - but not announced - in a preliminary bathing suit and evening gown showdown on Thursday. The 15 semifinalists were reduced to 10 Tuesday night.
The panel of judges included musician Emilio Estefan, actress Bo Derek and supermodel Petra Nemcova.
Kwame Jackson, a contestant on the US reality show The Apprentice, was dropped as a judge at the beauty event.
Jackson was disqualified on Monday by pageant organisers for greeting beauty queens he bumped into in the lobby of their hotel. More to come...
The Associated Press, AAP
MISS Australia Jennifer Hawkins, a statuesque 20-year-old from Sydney's beach suburb of Bondi, has been crowned Miss Universe at the competition final in Ecuador.
She beat 14 other women in front of a crowd of 7500 in a convention centre the Ecaudorian capital Quito.
Ms Hawkins, 20, is a former Newcastle Knights cheerleader, and is the first Australian to win the competition since Perth's Kerry Anne Wells in 1972.
A self-proclaimed "surfer chick", she says her hobbies include "watching footy with my dad".
The 5ft 11in blonde with blue eyes was chosen from among 80 beauty queens representing their respective countries.
First runner-up was Miss USA Shandi Finnessey. She and Ms Hawkins hugged before the winner was announced.
The Australian then received the crown from outgoing Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega, from the Dominican Republic, and then walked down the runway, smiling and waving to the cheering crowd.
The three other finalists were Miss Puerto Rico Alba Reyes, Miss Paraguay Yanina Gonzalez, and Miss Trinidad & Tobago Danielle Jones.
Ms Hawkins' mother Gail was waiting at the family's Newcastle home for news of the results today, and said she was excited for her daughter.
"I just wish I was there to give her a big cuddle. I don't know how I feel.
"It's really hard to believe. I wonder if it's sunk in with her yet. I don't think she realises the attention she has gotten here.
Steve Crowe, a spokesman for the Newcastle Knights rugby league team where Ms Hawkins was a cheerleader until last year, said the news was "fantastic".
"She was very popular," Mr Crowe said. "I don't think she'll be back now. I think her time might be taken up with a few other things."
The finalists were announced after 10 semifinalists paraded in swimsuits before the crowd.
Before the pageant began, singer Gloria Estefan defended the contest from critics who consider such events frivolous.
"A beautiful woman has very great powers to convince, and we have seen many misses who have done a great job," said the Cuban-American singer, who performed at the Miss Universe finals Tuesday night. "The new Miss Universe should do a spectacular job helping the needy."
All 80 contestants participated in the finals, in which the winner was to be selected from among 15 semifinalists.
The 15 semifinalists were chosen - but not announced - in a preliminary bathing suit and evening gown showdown on Thursday. The 15 semifinalists were reduced to 10 Tuesday night.
The panel of judges included musician Emilio Estefan, actress Bo Derek and supermodel Petra Nemcova.
Kwame Jackson, a contestant on the US reality show The Apprentice, was dropped as a judge at the beauty event.
Jackson was disqualified on Monday by pageant organisers for greeting beauty queens he bumped into in the lobby of their hotel. More to come...
The Associated Press, AAP
