Eighteen-year-old model wins Miss Russia contest

Sofia Rudyeva, an 18-year-old model from St. Petersburg, won Miss Russia 2009 beauty contest. In addition to the title and the crown, Sofia will receive a 100,000-dollar prize. Her other prizes include a romantic trip for two people to Stockholm and an opportunity to participate in a catalogue photo shoot for a cosmetic-making company, RIA Novosti reports.

Photo: Eighteen-year-old model wins Miss Russia contest

Eighteen-year-old model wins Miss Russia contest

Sofia Rudyeva will represent Russia at the forthcoming Miss World beauty pageant.

Svetlana Stepankovskaya from the Krasnodar region of Russia took the second place, whereas Ksenia Shepilova from the town of Kokhma, the Inanovo region, came third. In addition to the tittles, the girl obtained a unique opportunity to choose any educational institution of the world where they would like to study free of charge.

Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela, and Miss World 2008, Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia, attended the ceremony as guests of honor. The jury – Olga Slutsker, the president of World Class fitness clubs, Alena Doletskaya, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, pop singer Dmitry Malikov, restaurant keeper Arkady Novikov, fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin and Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza – were quick in making their decision. Dayana Mendoza announced the winner.

Sofia Rudyeva has been in the modeling business for several years already. She took part in a number of professional fashion shows.

Miss Russia Pageant is a Russian beauty pageant for young women. The pageants have been running since the year 1993, however it did not take place in 1994 and 2000. Since 2007 Miss Russia finalists represent Russia in both Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. Russia has a total of 3 major international pageants winners: Miss World 1992, Miss Universe 2002 and Miss World 2008. Miss Russia 2007 Ksenia Sukhinova was declared Miss World 2008 at the grand finale in Johannesburg on 13th December, 2008.